Red flags for a secondary headache include thunderclap onset, fever and meningismus, papilloedema, unexplained focal neurological signs, unusual headache attack precipitants, and headache onset after age 50. The yield of neuroimaging in patients with typical recurrent migraine attacks is very low. Any imaging study, particularly MRI, can identify incidental findings of no clinical significance which may lead to patient anxiety and further unnecessary investigation. For patients with typical migraine and a normal clinical examination who desire reassurance, careful explanation of the diagnosis and patient education may be more advisable.
Conditions: headache, migraine attacks
Diagnostic Tests: neuroimaging (CT, MRI), sinus imaging
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Sources
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