When to worry about headache

Preview

Nine of 10 patients who seek medical attention for head pain have a migraine, tension-type, or cluster headache. Sometimes, however, head pain is a symptom of a more serious condition requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment. How can you determine if a headache is potentially dangerous? Drs Perkins and Ondo tell you how to avoid misdiagnosis with directed history taking and physical examination, as well as appropriate neurologic evaluation and diagnostic testing.

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Notes on contributors

A. Thomas Perkins

A. Thomas Perkins, MD, PhD William Ondo, MD Dr Perkins is chief resident, department of medicine, division of neurology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. Dr Ondo is a recent graduate of Duke University School of Medicine and is currently a fellow in movement disorders at Baylor Medical Center, Houston.

William Ondo

A. Thomas Perkins, MD, PhD William Ondo, MD Dr Perkins is chief resident, department of medicine, division of neurology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. Dr Ondo is a recent graduate of Duke University School of Medicine and is currently a fellow in movement disorders at Baylor Medical Center, Houston.