Pitfalls in Neuroimaging of Headache: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Headache is a common symptom, with a lifetime prevalence of over 90% of the general population in the United Kingdom (UK). It accounts for 4.4% of consultations in primary care and 30% of neurology outpatient consultations. Neuroimaging is indicated in patients with red flag features for secondary h...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2013-01-01
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| Series: | Case Reports in Otolaryngology |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/735147 |
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| author | V. Vallamkondu M. Shakeel A. Hussain D. McAteer |
| author_facet | V. Vallamkondu M. Shakeel A. Hussain D. McAteer |
| author_sort | V. Vallamkondu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Headache is a common symptom, with a lifetime prevalence of over 90% of the general population in the United Kingdom (UK). It accounts for 4.4% of consultations in primary care and 30% of neurology outpatient consultations. Neuroimaging is indicated in patients with red flag features for secondary headaches. The guidelines recommend CT or MRI scan to identify any intracranial pathology. We present a unique case where the initial noncontrast CT scan failed to identify a potential treatable cause for headache. A middle aged man presented with headache and underwent a CT scan without contrast enhancement. The scan was reported as normal. The headache persisted for years and the patient underwent a staging CT scan to investigate an oropharyngeal cancer. This repeat CT scan utilized contrast enhancement and revealed a meningioma. Along with other symptoms, headache is an established presenting complaint in patients with meningioma. The contrast enhanced CT brain proved superior to a nonenhanced CT scan in identifying the meningioma. In a patient with persistent headache where other causes are excluded and a scan is to be requested, perhaps contrast enhanced CT is a better option than a plain CT scan of brain. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-aba1dcf1af8e4f0fa581f2272ad71504 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2090-6765 2090-6773 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2013-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Case Reports in Otolaryngology |
| spelling | doaj-art-aba1dcf1af8e4f0fa581f2272ad715042025-08-20T02:20:12ZengWileyCase Reports in Otolaryngology2090-67652090-67732013-01-01201310.1155/2013/735147735147Pitfalls in Neuroimaging of Headache: A Case Report and Review of the LiteratureV. Vallamkondu0M. Shakeel1A. Hussain2D. McAteer3Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen AB252ZN, UKDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen AB252ZN, UKDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen AB252ZN, UKDepartment of Radiology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, UKHeadache is a common symptom, with a lifetime prevalence of over 90% of the general population in the United Kingdom (UK). It accounts for 4.4% of consultations in primary care and 30% of neurology outpatient consultations. Neuroimaging is indicated in patients with red flag features for secondary headaches. The guidelines recommend CT or MRI scan to identify any intracranial pathology. We present a unique case where the initial noncontrast CT scan failed to identify a potential treatable cause for headache. A middle aged man presented with headache and underwent a CT scan without contrast enhancement. The scan was reported as normal. The headache persisted for years and the patient underwent a staging CT scan to investigate an oropharyngeal cancer. This repeat CT scan utilized contrast enhancement and revealed a meningioma. Along with other symptoms, headache is an established presenting complaint in patients with meningioma. The contrast enhanced CT brain proved superior to a nonenhanced CT scan in identifying the meningioma. In a patient with persistent headache where other causes are excluded and a scan is to be requested, perhaps contrast enhanced CT is a better option than a plain CT scan of brain.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/735147 |
| spellingShingle | V. Vallamkondu M. Shakeel A. Hussain D. McAteer Pitfalls in Neuroimaging of Headache: A Case Report and Review of the Literature Case Reports in Otolaryngology |
| title | Pitfalls in Neuroimaging of Headache: A Case Report and Review of the Literature |
| title_full | Pitfalls in Neuroimaging of Headache: A Case Report and Review of the Literature |
| title_fullStr | Pitfalls in Neuroimaging of Headache: A Case Report and Review of the Literature |
| title_full_unstemmed | Pitfalls in Neuroimaging of Headache: A Case Report and Review of the Literature |
| title_short | Pitfalls in Neuroimaging of Headache: A Case Report and Review of the Literature |
| title_sort | pitfalls in neuroimaging of headache a case report and review of the literature |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/735147 |
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