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Semin Neurol 2015; 35(06): 667-674
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1564300
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Approach to the Workup and Management of Headache in the Emergency Department and Inpatient Settings

Morris Levin
1   Division of Headache Medicine, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, California
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Publication History

Publication Date:
23 November 2015 (online)

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Abstract

The challenge of headache management in the hospital can be divided into the diagnostic and management issues encountered in the emergency department, and the issues involved in the inpatient management of chronic refractory headaches. The two endeavors are different but linked because of overlapping diagnostic and treatment options. In addition, the problem of the intractable acute headache encountered in the emergency department can evolve into inpatient care of the same patient who has failed to respond to acute treatment. Here the author presents an approach to the patient with severe acute headache in the emergency department and explores the options available for managing intractable headaches in the inpatient setting.

Keywords

headache - migraine - emergency - inpatient
 

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