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Neuroimaging in Secondary Headache Disorders

  • Imaging (L Mecthler, Section Editor)
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Abstract

A secondary headache may develop de novo or in patients with a history of primary headaches, and a thorough history and neurological exam often helps to suspect a secondary etiology. The causes of secondary headaches include tumors, vascular etiologies, structural brain disorders, infection, inflammation, and alterations of cerebrospinal fluid pressure dynamics. Computed tomography (CT) is very sensitive for detecting acute hemorrhage but magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is preferred over a head CT in subacute and non–emergent cases. Obtaining the correct diagnosis may include incorporation of intravenous contrast agents, special imaging sequences, and functional imaging techniques.

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Conflict of Interest

Dr. Priyanka Chaudhry and Dr. Deborah I. Friedman each declare no potential conflicts of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology & Neurotherpeutics1, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., MC 9322, Dallas, TX, 75390-9322, USA

    Deborah I. Friedman

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., MC 9322, Dallas, TX, 75390-9322, USA

    Deborah I. Friedman

  3. Baylor Neuroscience Headache Center, 9101 N. Central Expressway, Suite 400, Dallas, TX, 75231, USA

    Priyanka Chaudhry

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  1. Priyanka Chaudhry
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  2. Deborah I. Friedman
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Correspondence to Deborah I. Friedman.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Imaging

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Chaudhry, P., Friedman, D.I. Neuroimaging in Secondary Headache Disorders. Curr Pain Headache Rep 19, 30 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-015-0507-y

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