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Headache in neurological emergency

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Abstract

Headache represents the second neurological cause of emergency room admittance. The differentiation of the small number of patients with life-threatening headaches from the overwhelming majority with benign primary headaches is an important problem in the emergency department since the misdiagnosis of a secondary headache can have serious consequences, including permanent neurologic deficits and death. The presence of one or more high-risk features (red flags) in patient clinical history or neurological examination warrants an urgent diagnostic workup including blood tests, neuroradiological studies, and lumbar puncture.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology and Stroke Unit Cesena (Forlì), Bufalini Hospital, AUSL Romagna, Cesena, Italy

    Marco Longoni

  2. Department of Neuroscience, Neurology and Stroke Unit, ASST GOM Niguarda, Milan, Italy

    Elio Clemente Agostoni

Authors
  1. Marco Longoni
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  2. Elio Clemente Agostoni
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Correspondence to Marco Longoni.

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Longoni, M., Agostoni, E.C. Headache in neurological emergency. Neurol Sci 41 (Suppl 2), 409–416 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-020-04761-3

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