Utilization of CT Scans and MRIs in an Insured Population with Migraine

Authors

Neil I. Goldfarb, Jefferson School of Population HealthFollow
Valerie Pracilio, MPH, Jefferson School of Population HealthFollow
Daisy Ng-Mak, PhD, Global Health Outcomes, Merck Sharp & Dohme CorpFollow
Joe Couto, PharmD, MBA, Jefferson School of Population HealthFollow
Cary Sennett, MD, PhD, MedAssurant, Inc.Follow
Mary Hopkins, RN, Jefferson Headache CenterFollow
Jon Bumbaugh, MedAssurant, Inc.
Stephen Silberstein, MD, Jefferson Headache CenterFollow

Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

2-2012

Abstract

Background:

• Neuroimaging is a diagnostic tool that may be used to rule out a serious condition when a patient presents with head pain. It is not typically warranted for patients who have a normal neurologic exam, and may be over utilized despite established practice parameters set by the American Academy of Neurology.

•A decision to use neuroimaging should consider the type of headache and presence of any clinical features that suggest a serious condition.

Over-utilization of neuroimaging has cost and safety implications.

The United States Headache Consortium, a panel of experts on migraine, set the guidelines for diagnosis and treatment in 2000. In alignment with these guidelines, the Migraine Quality of Care Measurement Set seeks to reveal patterns in CT and MRI utilization for migraine sufferers, which may inform future policy decisions at the health plan-level.

Recommended Citation

Goldfarb, Neil I.; Pracilio, MPH, Valerie; Ng-Mak, PhD, Daisy; Couto, PharmD, MBA, Joe; Sennett, MD, PhD, Cary; Hopkins, RN, Mary; Bumbaugh, Jon; and Silberstein, MD, Stephen, "Utilization of CT Scans and MRIs in an Insured Population with Migraine" (2012). College of Population Health Lectures, Presentations, Workshops. Paper 24.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/hplectures/24