[Reasons for requesting neuroimaging studies in the evaluation of primary headache].
BACKGROUND
There is some controversy concerning the need to perform neuroimaging studies in patient complaining of headache. 90% of the people had a complaint of headache during their life, and it is impossible to perform neuroimaging studies in all of them.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is knowing the reasons for indications neuroimaging studies in the evaluation of primary headaches and the effectiveness at the diagnosis.


METHODS
The clinical records of patients who a neuroimaging study was performed for headache during 1998 were retrospectively studied. We analysed in all patients: the age, sex, diagnosis of headache, suspicion of diagnosis, reason and time for indication the neuroimaging study, and if the study modified the diagnosis.


RESULTS
During 1998, were performed 107 neuroimaging studies in 96 patients. The mean age were 38 years. 60% were females. The suspicion of diagnosis was primary headache in 71% patients. Only one patient had an abnormality. The reasons for applying a neuroimaging study were: in 20 of the patients the migraine was more frequent and they didn t relieve with abortive drugs, in 20 there was a migraine aura, in 11 because the migraine turned to daily headache, in 17 the family asked for a neuroimaging study, there was a 17 of patients seemed to have an organic disease, in 2 the headache appeared daily, and in 7 of the cases weren't any reasons.


CONCLUSIONS
Headache is the most frequent reason for asking a neuroimaging study. Primary headache is the type of headache that justifies most of indications. The most frequent reasons for performing a study were common changes in characteristics of migraine.
Bestué
M
M
Servicio de Neurología; Hospital Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, 50009, España.
Gracia-Naya
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M
Santolaria
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L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D009042:Motivation; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis