A GP guide on when to refer for imaging in headache
Here’s new thinking on how best to approach the decision
Deciding when to order brain imaging in general practice should, in theory, be relatively straightforward: most current guidelines rely on the identification of ‘red flags’, that are aimed at providing clarity.1,2
For most doctors, however, the practical realities are far from simple.
In fact, many doctors might admit that they develop headaches themselves when faced with decision-making about managing patients who present with headache.
As a result, brain imaging is sometimes ordered when there is no clear indication for it, particularly in the absence of obvious red flags (see box).
