[Indications and limitations of computer tomography studies in headaches and seizures]

Examination of the records of patients with headache or with generalized epileptic seizures, but without neurological disorders or any sign of intracranial hypertension, shows that in this group of patients expansive processes are rare. If in this group of patients a tumor is nevertheless discovered by CT (as it is in 3.3% of patients with headache and in 8% of those with generalized epileptic seizures) it becomes evident that with very few exceptions the neurological status and/or EEG of these patients was not absolutely normal either. By careful evaluation of the patient's history and the neurological status - supplemented in patients with epileptic seizures by an EEG - many unnecessary computed tomographies could be avoided.