Red Flags for Headaches

Thu, 03/25/2021 - 7:42am
Author: 
Karen O'Brien, DO
Editor: 
John Cafaro MD

Can’t miss diagnoses: SAH, meningitis/encephalitis, CVA, temporal arteritis, CO poisoning, tumor/mass, SDH, EDH, ACA glaucoma, HTN emergency, IIH, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, cervical artery dissection

Red flags:

  • Age 
  • Onset (SAH) 
  • Neuro deficit (cervical dissection, CVA) 
  • Trauma (SDH, EDH) 
  • Associated eye complaint (ACAG, temporal arteritis, CN palsy in cavernous thrombosis) 
  • Associated fever (meningoencephalitis) 
  • History elements (trauma, recent pregnancy) 
  • Special populations (IVDU, pregnant or recent delivery, malignancy, DM, HIV/AIDS/immunocompromised, clotting disorder)