Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: To make a responsible clinical and economic decision it is important to differentiate between a primary headache without underlying cerebral abnormality and secondary headaches, which are often associated with brain pathology. Hence; the present study was planned for assessing the prevalence of abnormal MRI findings in patients with Migraine, Cluster and tension type headache patients. Materials & methods: A total of 30 patients were analyzed. Out of these 30 patients, 10 patients were of migraine, 10 patients were of cluster headache and the remaining 10 patients were of tension type headache. Complete clinical history of all the patients was obtained. Clinical examination was done in all the patients and detailed medical and family history was obtained. MRI was done in all the patients and findings were recorded. Results: Significant abnormal MRI findings were found to be present in 9 patients. Therefore; overall prevalence of significant abnormal findings was 30 percent. Among migraine patients, abnormal MRI findings were found to be present in 4 patients. Among tension type headache patients, abnormal MRI findings were found to be present in 2 patients. Among cluster headache patients, abnormal MRI findings were found to be present in 3 patients. Conclusion: Significant proportion of abnormal findings is detectable in patients with primary headache, thereby emphasizing on the need of regular screening of the headache patients. Key words: Cluster, Magnetic resonance imaging, Tension type headache