CT findings of patients presenting with headache at Al Hilla teaching hospital

Abstract EN

Multislice computed tomography (MDCT) is a promising the important and noninvasive method of detecting head or brain pathology.

It is now being widely used in Iraq.

To determine the findings of patients presenting with headache (secondary headache) in those with uncertain cause (primary or idiopathic headache) nor uncertain diagnosis by physical examination, laboratory investigations & plain X-ray Al Hilla teaching hospital / Radiology Department / CT scan unit It was cross sectional comparative study conducted in Al Hilla teaching hospital.

Total (300) patients were included in the study that underwent MDCT between September 2016 & September 2017 and done by using Siemens Somatom Definition AS, 64 slices which manufactured from 2008 until December 2013, Germany and Philips Brilliance 64 slices, 2008, Holl and to valuate for the cause of headache.

The total no.

of our patients was (300) patients, males (190), females (110) and no pathology detected 168 (56%) with positive results about 132(44%) the most positive findings are sinusitis (18%), the brain tumors (7,7%), developmental anomalies (6,3%), ischemia (5,3%),brain atrophy (3%), cervicogenic headache (1,3%) and brain metastasis , hemorrhagic infarction each show (1%).

MDCT can serve as an excellent screening procedure and non invasive diagnostic procedure, because of its high spatial resolution and ability to image the skull & brain however some cases difficult to diagnose by CT scan alone so need conjugation with other modality like MRI help us to provide a more accurate diagnosis.

Contrast media used in some cases to help us in diagnosis.