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Table 15.2

Urgent Investigation in Acute Headache

  • Full blood count
  • Coagulation screen if suspected intracranial haemorrhage
  • ESR and C-reactive protein
  • Blood glucose
  • Creatinine and electrolytes
  • Skull X-ray if suspected sinus infection
  • Blood culture if suspected bacterial meningitis
  • CT scan if suspected stroke or meningitis/encephalitis
  • LP if suspected subarachnoid haemorrhage or meningitis/encephalitis, provided there are no contraindications (Chapter 123)

ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; LP, lumbar puncture.