Tests to Diagnose Headache: Blood Tests, Imaging, EEG, Eye Examination, Spinal Tap

• Hemoglobin – Low hemoglobin in anemia secondary bleeding or autoimmune disease.
• White Blood Cell Count – Increased in infection e.g. meningitis, encephalitis.
• Thrombocytopenia – Decrease platelet count in bleeding disorder causing headache.
• ESR and CRP – Level increased in temporal arteritis or systemic disease.^[1]
• Creatinine – Kidney disease and kidney failure associated with headache.
• Hypercalcemia – Increased calcium level in blood associated with headache.
• Thyroid Function Test – Low thyroid hormone in hypothyroidism causing headache.^[2]
• Liver Function Test – Abnormal liver function test may be associated with primary or metastatic tumor of liver and brain.
• VDRL and ESR – Increased in tuberculosis and veneral diseases associated with headache.
• HIV – Patient with positive HIV may be suffering with headache.

CT scan of brain – Useful in diagnosis of hemorrhage, brain tumor or brain metastasis.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of The Brain– Assist in evaluation and diagnosis of multiple diseases causing headache:

• Brain hemorrhage.
• Brain tumor and metastasis.
• Stroke.
• Aneurysm.
• Blood clots.
• Hydrocephalus.
• Pituitary gland hypertrophy.
• Brain abscess.
• Head injury – Skull fracture, hemorrhage and bleeding.
• Brain disease – Multiple sclerosis, Huntington’s disease.
• Parkinson’s disease.^[3]

• Pregnancy.
• Kidney problem.
• Sickle cell disease.
• Devices – Arterial stent, pacemaker, mitral heart valve, spinal cord stimulator, intrathecal catheter and programmable pain pump, brain stimulator, limb prosthesis, IUD.
• Remove metal object – jewelry, watches, Denture, hearing aids, hairpins, coins and credit cards.^[4]

Sinus infection such as frontal and maxillary sinusitis can cause sever headache. X-ray is used to diagnosed sinusitis.^[5]

Used in seizure disorder associated with headache.^[6]

Eye examination with ophthalmoscope by eye specialist – rule out glaucoma and optic neuropathy.

Spinal tap procedure is performed in operating room under sterile conditions. Cerebrospinal fluid is collected and studied for infection and autoimmune diseases.^[7]

References:

Also Read:

• What is Headache or Cephalalgia
• Diagnosis of Headache
• Pathophysiology of Headache
• Signs and Symptoms of Headache
• Treatment for Headache