Clinical warning criteria in evaluation by computed tomography the secondary neurological headaches in adults


Bildik F., Aygun D.

European Journal of Neurology, cilt.10, sa.4, ss.437-442, 2003 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 10 Sayı: 4
  • Basım Tarihi: 2003
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1046/j.1468-1331.2003.00645.x
  • Dergi Adı: European Journal of Neurology
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.437-442
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Cranial computed tomography, Headache, Intracranial lesion, Warning clinical criteria
  • Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Hayır

Özet

Our aims were to investigate the frequency of intracranial lesions detected by cranial computed tomography (CT-scan) amongst adult patients who had clinical warning criteria (CWC) for secondary neurological headaches and to determine the importance of CWC in predicting a possible lesion on CT-scan. Seventy consecutive patients with headache exhibiting CWC were included in this prospective study. The CWC included: (i) increase in the intensity and frequency of headache; (ii) abrupt onset of headache; (iii) persistence of headache despite analgesics; (iv) alteration of the characteristics of headache; and (v) presence of focal neurological symptoms or findings. The mean age of the patients was 46.5 years; the female-to-male ratio was 1.5. Of the patients, 35.7% had a neurological cause identified by CT-scan, and 64.3% had normal CT-scan. In the patients without lesion, of headaches, 64.4% were primary, and 35.6% were from undefined headache group. Although, of the above criteria, only the 5th was different markedly in the patients with lesion than the patients without lesion, in evaluation by CT-scan the secondary neurological headaches in adults, all CWC should look for absolutely in their history and physical examination. © 2003 EFNS.