HEADACHE – Common symptom with Rare Diagnosis in UK Primary Care – A Case report

Abstract

Headache is a common presenting symptom in Primary Care with a wide list of differential diagnoses and important red flag symptoms. It is vital in Primary Care to undertake a comprehensive history, careful examination and appropriate investigations when patients present with any of these symptoms. Clinicians should be mindful of the differential diagnoses and red flag symptoms in order to appropriately manage patients. It is also crucial to recognise when to get help from secondary care colleagues when faced with rare and complex cases that may need hospital admission for further investigations, management and monitoring. This case highlighted the importance of being aware of different, including rare, differentials when confronted with a common presenting symptom. Keywords: headache, rare diagnosis, Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome (RCVS).