Emergency department evaluation of sudden, severe headache

Authors: Breen, D.P.¹; Duncan, C.W.¹; Pope, A.E.²; Gray, A.J.³; Al-Shahi Salman, R.¹

Source: QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, Volume 101, Number 6, 14 June 2008 , pp. 435-443(9)

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Abstract:

Aim: To assess the clinical management of adults presenting with sudden, severe headache.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of consecutive adults presenting with sudden, severe headache to the emergency department (ED) or medical admissions unit at one teaching hospital.

Results: Of 12 025 consecutive attendances over 3 months, 91 adults (0.8%, 95% CI 0.6-0.9%) presented with sudden severe headache. Documentation of time to peak headache intensity and headache duration was complete in only 33% of cases. Brain computed tomography was performed in each of the 29 patients (33%) in whom it appeared indicated for the investigation of headaches peaking within 5 min and lasting more than 1 h, as well as 11 patients (13%) who did not meet these criteria. Lumbar puncture was attempted in every patient for whom it appeared indicated (although it was unsuccessful and abandoned on three of 24 patients), as well as one patient in whom it appeared not to be indicated. When subarachnoid haemorrhage was suspected, 81% of patients had spectrophotometry. Of the patients, 52 (60%) were given a specific diagnosis, 17 (33%) of whom were given a diagnosis despite an apparently insufficient history. A further 12 (14%) could have been diagnosed if the International Headache Society classification had been applied to the documented history. Neurological advice was sought for only 20 patients (23%).

Conclusions: Patients with sudden, severe headache might benefit if EDs used simple protocols, emphasizing the crucial elements of history and examination, appropriate investigation and targeted consultation with neurologists.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hcn036

Affiliations: 1: Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Western General Hospital, , 2: College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, and , 3: Emergency Department, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland,

Publication date: 2008-06-14

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QJM is a long-established, leading general medical journal. It focuses on internal medicine and publishes peer-reviewed articles which promote medical science and practice. Published monthly, QJM includes original papers, editorials, reviews, commentary papers to air controversial issues, and a correspondence column.

Emergency department evaluation of sudden, severe headache

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