ABSTRACT
ADDRESSING THE RISK ■ First step in ruling out life-threatening causes of headache-
neuroimaging ■ If intracranial bleeding (subarachnoid hemorrhage, hemor-
rhagic stroke, posttraumatic bleeding) is a consideration ▲ Immediate noncontrast CT of head should be performed. ▲ Acute blood will appear bright. ▲ If this is negative, as in approximately 5% of subarachnoid
hemorrhages, proceed to lumbar puncture.
