J Clin Neurol.
2020 Apr;16(2):222-229. 10.3988/jcn.2020.16.2.222.
Factors Associated with Incidental Neuroimaging Abnormalities in New Primary Headache Patients
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Neurology, Bundang Jesaeng General Hospital, Daejin Medical Center, Seongnam, Korea.
- 2Department of Neurology, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, Korea.
- 3Department of Neurology, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
- 4Department of Neurology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 5Department Neurology, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 6Department of Neurology, Uijeongbu St.Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Uijeongbu, Korea.
- 7Department of Neurology, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea.
- 8Department of Neurology, Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 9Department of Neurology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 10Department of Neurology, National Police Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
- 11Department of Neurology, Eulji Hospital, Eulji University, Seoul, Korea.
- 12Department of Neurology, Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Hwaseong, Korea.
- KMID: 2506813
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.3988/jcn.2020.16.2.222
Abstract
- Background and Purpose
Deciding whether or not to perform neuroimaging in primary headache is a dilemma for headache physicians. The aim of this study was to identify clinical predictors of incidental neuroimaging abnormalities in new patients with primary headache disorders.
Methods
This cross-sectional study was based on a prospective multicenter headache registry, and it classified 1,627 consecutive first-visit headache patients according to the third edition (beta version) of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3β). Primary headache patients who underwent neuroimaging were finally enrolled in the analysis. Serious intracranial pathology was defined as serious neuroimaging abnormalities with a high degree of medical urgency. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with incidental neuroimaging abnormalities.
Results
Neuroimaging abnormalities were present in 170 (18.3%) of 927 eligible patients. In multivariable analysis, age ≥40 years [multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=3.37, 95% CI=2.07–6.83], male sex (aOR=1.61, 95% CI=1.12–2.32), and age ≥50 years at headache onset (aOR=1.86, 95% CI=1.24–2.78) were associated with neuroimaging abnormalities. In univariable analyses, age ≥40 years was the only independent variable associated with serious neuroimaging abnormalities (OR=3.37, 95% CI=1.17–9.66), which were found in 34 patients (3.6%). These associations did not change after further adjustment for neuroimaging modality.
Conclusions
Incidental neuroimaging abnormalities were common and varied in a primary headache diagnosis. A small proportion of the patients incidentally had serious neuroimaging abnormalities, and they were predicted by age ≥40 years. These findings can be used to guide the performing of neuroimaging in primary headache disorders.
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