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Headache in the athlete and radiographic evaluation
E D Cacayorin1, G R Petro, L Hochhauser
1Department of Radiology, SUNY Health Science Center, Syracuse.
Clinics in Sports Medicine
|October 1, 1987
Summary
Headaches in athletes are complex and nonspecific, requiring careful evaluation. Radiographic imaging choices depend on the suspected cause, balancing benefits and drawbacks for accurate diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Neurology
- Radiology
Background:
- Headaches are common in athletes but often nonspecific.
- Evaluating headache causes in athletes presents diagnostic challenges.
- The etiology of headache dictates the appropriate diagnostic imaging strategy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the nonspecific nature of headaches in athletes.
- To discuss the complexity of headache work-up in athletic populations.
- To review the utility of various radiographic modalities for diagnosing headache causes in athletes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of radiographic modalities for headache evaluation.
- Discussion of common and serious causes of headaches in athletes.
- Analysis of the merits and limitations of imaging techniques.
Main Results:
- Headache etiology is crucial for selecting appropriate imaging.
- Radiographic modalities have varying effectiveness in detecting headache causes.
- A systematic approach considering clinical suspicion is essential.
Conclusions:
- The choice of radiographic studies for athlete headaches must be etiology-driven.
- Understanding the limitations of imaging is key for effective diagnosis.
- Comprehensive evaluation is necessary for managing athlete headaches.