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Abstract #17488 Published in IGR 9-2
Headache in the elderly
Walker RA; Wadman MCClinics in Geriatric Medicine 2007; 23: 291-305
Headache in an elderly patient can be a sign of serious, potentially life-threatening disorders. All patients require a full assessment, including a complete neurologic examination. Particular emphasis should be placed on excluding subarachnoid hemorrhage, subdural hematoma, giant cell arteritis, intracranial neoplasm, cerebrovascular accident, acute-angle-closure glaucoma, and infectious etiologies such as meningitis and encephalitis. Once life-threatening disorders are excluded, the geriatrician can focus on more benign etiologies such as migraine, tension headache, and medication withdrawal. Treatment depends on the underlying etiology. This article discusses headaches that require emergent treatment and then describes more benign etiologies of headaches.
Dr. R.A. Walker, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 981150 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA. rwalker1@unmc.edu
Classification:
9.3.1 Acute primary angle closure glaucoma (pupillary block) (Part of: 9 Clinical forms of glaucomas > 9.3 Primary angle closure glaucomas)