EFFICIENCY OF COMPUTED BRAIN TOMOGRAPHY AND MINIMAL PARA-NASAL SINUS SCANNING IN PATIENTS WITH HEADACHE

Abstract

Background: Headache is the most common human condition and affects a wide range of populations with a number of etiologies. The majority of headaches are accounted for by main headache disorders that involve migraine, cluster and tension-type headaches, whereas secondary headaches are much less common than those with underlying disease (e.g. tumour).

Aims & objectives: To assess the Utility of computed tomography of brain and limited para-nasal sinuses scanning in patients with headache.

Methodology: This prospective research included 400 cases of primary headache symptoms undergoing computed brain tomography and minimal para-nasal sinus CT scans. For the diagnostic yield from imaging, findings were tabulated and analysed.

Results: Isolated headache, accompanied by headache with vomiting, was the most common symptom of referral to CT brain. In 44 subjects, 26 due to intracranial pathology and 18 due to para-nasal sinus disease, a severe abnormality was found. Of the 44 positive cases, 12 were lesions occupying room, 4 vaccine infarctions, 2 subarachnoid haemorrhages, 8 cortical vein thrombosis, and 18 had sinusitis.

Conclusion: Computed tomography is a useful screening tool in the assessment of headache patients.

Keywords: Headache, Computed Tomography, Migraine, Para Nasal Sinus.