Comparative Utilization of Neuroimaging in Telemedicine Versus In-Person Visits for Migraine and Headache Management: A Retrospective Analysis

This retrospective study evaluated the use of neuroimaging in telemedicine versus in-person initial visits for patients with migraines and headaches over one year. Of 467 patient visits, 22.05% were via telemedicine and 77.9% were in-person. Neuroimaging, including MRI, MRA, and CT scans, was ordered less frequently after telemedicine visits (2.35%) than in-person visits (15.4%), reflecting a 6.55 times higher ordering rate in the in-person group. These findings suggest important considerations for clinical decision-making and healthcare costs in headache management. Further research is needed to understand the factors influencing imaging decisions in telemedicine and in-person visits.