[Medical imaging and headache: choice of studies and their economic impact]

These past few years, new imaging technologies, very efficient but often quite expensive, have been developed. Within the context of budgetary restrictions, these progresses require a carefully planned strategy on the choice of investigations. Within the clinical environment of headaches, we have to discuss: conventional radiology (skill and cervical spine), cerebral CT scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Angiography. These examinations are first discussed about their strong and weak aspects; then their indications are presented by pathology group. The related costs are analysed in terms of: health insurance rate, real production costs, consumption volume and total budgetary cost for Belgium. Based upon these data, concrete recommendations are proposed.