Use of CT scans for the investigation of headache: a report from ASPN, Part 1.

Abstract

Because there are no clear guidelines for the use of CT for the investigation of headache, physicians must exercise good clinical judgment in their attempts to identify treatable disease in a cost-effective manner. ASPN clinicians made selective use of CT scans based on a combination of factors that included physician and patient concerns. CT was an imperfect tool in this setting. Most of the positive results represented false positives or incidental findings that could have led to adverse effects and additional costs.