Andrew Charles, MD, Professor, Director of Headache Research and Treatment Program, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, discusses when to get a scan for a headache and the red flags that doctors must watch for. These include new onset of headache in someone over 50, abrupt onset of headache, headache associated with systemic symptoms or neurologic symptoms.

Reading:
Mehle ME, Kremer PS. Sinus CT scan findings in “sinus headache” migraineurs.Headache. 2008 Jan;48(1):67-71.
Knotkova H, Pappagallo M. Imaging intracranial plasma extravasation in a migraine patient: a case report.Pain Med. 2007 May-Jun;8(4):383-7.
Paulson EP, Graham SM. Neurologic diagnosis and treatment in patients with computed tomography and nasal endoscopy negative facial pain.Laryngoscope. 2004 Nov;114(11):1992-6.

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