[maureen_dass]

I can recall a young female patient who came to my office complaining of major headaches, occurring at any time of the day with no specific triggers. During the history taking process I tried to gather as much information as possible to zero in on a diagnosis. I was convinced it was a tension headache as opposed to migraines; although she had already self diagnosed herself with migraines. She did not fit the criteria for migraines with or without an aura, so I was more convinced it was tension headaches. I decided to monitor her after treating her for tension headaches and while she was in the waiting room, instinct told me to send her for a CT scan. Her CT scan revealed a space occupying lesion which eventually turned out to be a brain tumour. As the saying goes...never take things for granted and always be thorough.

Maureen