Editing Headache (section)

==== New headaches ====
All people who present with [[#Red flags|red flags]] indicating a dangerous secondary headache should receive neuroimaging.<ref name=Hainer /> The best form of neuroimaging for these headaches is controversial.<ref name=Clinch /> Non-contrast computerized tomography (CT) scan is usually the first step in head imaging as it is readily available in Emergency Departments and hospitals and is cheaper than MRI. Non-contrast CT is best for identifying an acute head bleed. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is best for brain tumors and [[Posterior fossa malformations–hemangiomas–arterial anomalies–cardiac defects–eye abnormalities–sternal cleft and supraumbilical raphe syndrome|problems in the posterior fossa]], or back of the brain.<ref name=Clinch /> MRI is more sensitive for identifying intracranial problems, however it can pick up brain abnormalities that are not relevant to the person's headaches.<ref name=Clinch />

The American College of Radiology recommends the following imaging tests for different specific situations:<ref name="Strain_2000">{{cite journal | vauthors = Strain JD, Strife JL, Kushner DC, Babcock DS, Cohen HL, Gelfand MJ, Hernandez RJ, McAlister WH, Parker BR, Royal SA, Slovis TL, Smith WL, Rothner AD | title = Headache. American College of Radiology. ACR Appropriateness Criteria | journal = Radiology | volume = 215 | issue = Suppl | pages = 855–60 | date = June 2000 | pmid = 11037510 | doi = | url = }}</ref>

{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Clinical Features !! Recommended neuroimaging test
|-
| Headache in immunocompromised people (cancer, HIV) || [[MRI]] of head with or without contrast
|-
| Headache in people older than 60 with suspected temporal arteritis || MRI of head with or without contrast
|-
| Headache with suspected meningitis || CT or MRI without contrast
|-
| Severe headache in pregnancy || CT or MRI without contrast
|-
| Severe unilateral headache caused by possible dissection of carotid or arterial arteries || MRI of head with or without contrast, [[magnetic resonance angiography]] or [[Computed tomography angiography|Computed Tomography Angiography]] of head and neck.
|-
| Sudden onset headache or worst headache of life || CT of head without contrast, [[Computed tomography angiography|Computed Tomography Angiography]] of head and neck with contrast, [[magnetic resonance angiography]] of head and neck with and without contrast, MRI of head without contrast
|}