Computed tomography of the brain in the evaluation of the headache patient.

A retrospective analysis was conducted of 100 consecutive patients evaluated with computerized tomography of the head who had the chief complaint of headache. Three percent of these patients had abnormal findings, which were clinically significant in terms of patient treatment and follow-up. An additional 10% had computed tomography findings, which were clinically insignificant in that they did not alter the patient's treatment or clinical course. All of the significant findings occurred in patients who were age 45 years or older. In the 85 patients who were less than age 45, no significant abnormalities were found.