Brain imaging for migraine: only when warning features develop, never solely for reassurance
neuroimaging solely for reassurance
tests per year, UK, only if a warning feature listed in recommendation 1.1.1 develops; not solely for reassurance
“Consider further investigations and/or referral if a person diagnosed with a headache disorder develops any of the features listed in recommendation 1.1.1. ... Do not refer people diagnosed with tension‑type headache, migraine, cluster headache or medication overuse headache for neuroimaging solely for reassurance.”
NICE CG150, Headaches in over 12s: diagnosis and management, recommendations 1.3.2 and 1.3.3, 2012-09
- Kind of source
- Clinical guideline
- Read on
- 2026-11-06
- Daily check
- Quote found at the source on 2026-11-06
- What to know
- Most people with migraine have no brain imaging report: imaging is for red-flag features (for example a new neurological deficit or sudden-onset headache), so an imaging record is the exception.
- About
- MigraineScan reports
Used in
Kept as evidence; no figure on the platform is computed from it yet.