Headache as emergency

Abstract

The symptom "headache" is an interdisciplinary clinical picture with multiple differential diagnoses. On the one hand, headache can be a symptom of harmless diseases, on the other hand, it can be an expression of a serious condition with a high-risk potential for the patient. Radiological cross-sectional imaging, laboratory investigations or a diagnostic lumbar puncture are absent in the prehospital setting. Attention must be paid prehospital to a focused history and physical as well as neurological examination to identify red flags. Recognition of potentially dangerous causes is also essential for mission tactical reasons (target hospital). A reliable distinction is not always possible prehospital, so that in case of doubt, a presentation to the hospital should be made. Therapeutically, the focus is on treatment according to the ABCDE scheme and symptomatic therapy.