Introduction

Of necessity, the investigations required for any patient with an acute headache will depend upon the:

• Characteristics of the headache
• Age and co-morbidities of the patient
• Presence or absence of focal neurological signs

The most important investigation is the neurological examination itself. This must include:

• Alertness and cognitive function
• Limb power, tone, reflexes and sensation
• Pronator drift
• Cranial nerves
• Visual fields to confrontation
• Fundoscopy
• Cerebellar function