Published: 2 Apr 2025

Several disorders can present with headache along with abnormalities in CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel), ESR/CRP (inflammatory markers), or MRI/CT scans. Here are some key possibilities:

1. Inflammatory/Autoimmune Disorders

• Giant Cell Arteritis (Temporal Arteritis)

  • Symptoms: Headache (often temporal), jaw claudication, vision loss.
  • Labs: ↑ ESR, ↑ CRP (markedly elevated).
  • Imaging: Temporal artery ultrasound/biopsy (MRI/CT may show vessel inflammation).

• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

  • Symptoms: Headache, fatigue, joint pain, rash.
  • Labs: ↑ ESR/CRP, abnormal CMP (kidney/liver involvement), positive ANA/dsDNA.
  • Imaging: Brain MRI may show white matter lesions (CNS lupus).

• Vasculitis (e.g., ANCA-associated, CNS vasculitis)

  • Symptoms: Headache, neurological deficits.
  • Labs: ↑ ESR/CRP, abnormal CMP (renal involvement).
  • Imaging: MRI may show strokes/vasculitic lesions; angiography needed.

2. Infectious Causes

• Meningitis/Encephalitis

  • Symptoms: Headache, fever, neck stiffness.
  • Labs: ↑ ESR/CRP, abnormal CMP (hyponatremia in SIADH).
  • Imaging: MRI may show meningeal enhancement; CT may be normal early.

• Brain Abscess

  • Symptoms: Headache, fever, focal deficits.
  • Labs: ↑ ESR/CRP, leukocytosis.
  • Imaging: Ring-enhancing lesion on MRI/CT.

3. Metabolic/Endocrine Disorders

• Hyponatremia (from SIADH, adrenal insufficiency, etc.)

  • Symptoms: Headache, confusion, seizures.
  • Labs: Low sodium on CMP, possible ↑ ESR/CRP if inflammatory cause.
  • Imaging: MRI may show osmotic demyelination (if rapid correction).

• Hypercalcemia (e.g., hyperparathyroidism, malignancy)

  • Symptoms: Headache, fatigue, nausea.
  • Labs: ↑ Calcium on CMP, possible ↑ ESR/CRP if malignancy.
  • Imaging: CT may detect parathyroid adenoma or lytic bone lesions.

4. Structural/Neurological Disorders

• Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH)

  • Symptoms: Headache, vision changes, papilledema.
  • Labs: Normal ESR/CRP, CMP usually normal.
  • Imaging: MRI may show empty sella, venous sinus stenosis.

• Brain Tumor or Mass Lesion

  • Symptoms: Progressive headache, neurological deficits.
  • Labs: ESR/CRP may be elevated if inflammatory/paraneoplastic.
  • Imaging: MRI/CT shows mass, edema, or midline shift.

• Subdural Hematoma

  • Symptoms: Headache (worsening), confusion.
  • Labs: Possible anemia on CMP, ↑ ESR/CRP if chronic.
  • Imaging: CT/MRI shows crescent-shaped hemorrhage.

5. Systemic Inflammatory Conditions

• Sarcoidosis (Neurosarcoidosis)

  • Symptoms: Headache, cranial nerve palsies.
  • Labs: ↑ ESR/CRP, hypercalcemia (CMP).
  • Imaging: MRI may show leptomeningeal enhancement.

• Chronic Inflammatory Syndromes (e.g., Behçet’s Disease)

  • Symptoms: Recurrent headaches, oral/genital ulcers.
  • Labs: ↑ ESR/CRP.
  • Imaging: MRI may show CNS vasculitis.

Next Steps for Diagnosis

• If ESR/CRP ↑: Consider inflammatory/autoimmune (e.g., GCA, lupus).
• If CMP abnormal: Look for metabolic causes (hyponatremia, hypercalcemia).
• If MRI/CT abnormal: Rule out structural causes (tumor, abscess, hemorrhage).

Would you like help narrowing it down based on specific lab/imaging findings? Use AI-drive online diagnosis