Evaluation and Management of Life-Threatening Headaches – in the Emergency Department (2019) David Zodda, MD, FACEP

Description

Headache is the fourth most common reason for emergency department encounters. While 90% are relatively benign primary headaches, 10% are secondary headaches caused by underlying vascular, infectious, or traumatic etiologies, and are potentially life-threatening. This issue details the important pathophysiologic features of the most common types of life-threatening headaches, the key historical and physical examination information emergency clinicians must obtain, the red flags that cannot be missed, and the current evidence for best-practice testing, imaging, treatment, and disposition.