[Guidelines for the diagnostic evaluation of patients presenting in emergency for an acute non-traumatic headache].
Acute non-traumatic headache is a frequent complaint in emergency primary care. In the majority of cases, the cause is a primary headache, which can be invalidating, but should not lead to additional investigations. Secondary headaches are rare but their diagnosis is essential to avoid potentially lethal consequences. In practice, a primary headache may be difficult to differentiate from a secondary headache, especially if the initial management does not follow a systematic approach. We have adapted evidence-based guidelines to improve the diagnostic management of patients presenting acute headache. We propose an algorithm that facilitates the systematic screening of alert signs with a focused patient history and clinical exam. In the presence of red flags, appropriate complementary exams are needed to rule out a secondary headache.
Ceppi
Mirco
M
Centre interdisciplinaire des urgences, CHUV, Lausanne. mirco.ceppi@chuv.ch
Willi
Carole
C
Hugli
Olivier
O
Regli
Luca
L
Cereda
Carlo
C
Maeder
Philippe
P
Bodenmann
Patrick
P
Burnand
Bernard
B
Nater
Bernard
B
Michel
Patrik
P
D000208:Acute Disease; D000465:Algorithms; D004630:Emergencies; D006261:Headache / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic