Over-imaging is one of the banes of modern medicine. One may argue that in this litigious atmosphere it is safer to get an MRI done rather than not. Despite the recommendations of the American Headache Society and the American College of Radiology to limit the use of MRI and other forms of imaging in patients with headaches, the practice continues unabated. The authors of this paper estimate that approximately 12 - 16% of uncomplicated headache patients undergo MRIs. They elaborate on the unnecessary use of MRI in these patients and suggest other interventions that could enable more efficient utilisation of imaging techniques.
Are imaging studies necessary in uncomplicated headaches?
Reviewed by Gauri Mankekar
The ethics of ‘choosing wisely’: the use of neuroimaging for uncomplicated headache.
CONTRIBUTOR
Gauri Mankekar
Department of Otolaryngology-Head Neck Surgery, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Louisiana, USA.
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