When is neuroimaging warranted for headache?

Abstract

Neuroimaging is warranted to evaluate headaches when patients present to an emergency department with signs or symptoms of an intracranial lesion. These signs or symptoms include abrupt onset of headache, focal neurological abnormalities (strength of recommendation [SOR]: B, based on a validating cohort study), decreased level of consciousness (SOR: B, based on a retrospective, nonconsecutive case study), occipitonuchal location, multiple associated symptoms, and age older than 55 years (SOR: B, based on a case-control study).