USMLE Forum Archives - USMLE Step 2 CK - headaches
headaches
bingousmle - 05-20-10 07:01
A 60-year-old white male has had intermittent posterior nuchal headaches for many years. Which one of the following is most likely to help establish a diagnosis?
a.An MRI scan of the head
b.A CT scan of the head
c.An erythrocyte sedimentation rate
d.A neurologic examination
e.A thorough history
bingousmle - 05-20-10 07:01
A 60-year-old white male has had intermittent posterior nuchal headaches for many years. Which one of the following is most likely to help establish a diagnosis?
a.An MRI scan of the head
b.A CT scan of the head
c.An erythrocyte sedimentation rate
d.A neurologic examination
e.A thorough history
The correct answer and explanation will be available after you answer.
Page 1
#1
Re: headaches babbu5508 - 05-20-10 14:10 My answer is: a.
.An MRI scan of the head is used to rule out a cerebral cause of headache which has been for years..it could be due to a slow growing tumor,normal pressure hydrocephalus,psychogenic,cervical bony causes etc. thorough history and neurologicall examination should nevertheless precede the mri to corelate the results.
#2
Re: headaches
bingousmle - 05-20-10 14:41 The best information for making the diagnosis in the patient presented is most likely to come
from a thorough history focusing on provocation, quality, region, strength, and timing of the
headaches, as well as associated symptoms, a medication history, and screening for depression.
CT and MRI scans have not been proven helpful if focal clues are not found
Page 1