Table 1 “Kernick’s” primary care guidance for imaging patients with suspected brain tumour

Red flag symptoms

▪ Papilloedema

▪ significant alterations in consciousness, memory, confusion, or coordination

▪ new epileptic seizure

▪ new onset cluster headache

▪ headache with a history of cancer elsewhere particularly breast and lung

▪ headache with abnormal findings on neurological examination or other neurological symptoms

Orange flag symptoms

▪ new headache where a diagnostic pattern has not emerged after 8 weeks from presentation

▪ headache aggravated with exertion or Valsalva-like manoeuvre

▪ headache associated with vomiting

▪ headache that has been present for some time but have changed significantly, particularly a rapid increase in frequency

▪ new headache in patient over 50 years

▪ headache that wake the patient from sleep

▪ confusion

Yellow flag symptoms

▪ diagnosis of migraine or tension-type headache

▪ weakness or motor loss

▪ memory loss

▪ personality change