Objective: Headache in childhood and adult age group is a common complaint. Nowadays, cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become the commonly performed first step examination by the patients complaining of headache. In this study, we aimed to evaluate MRI findings in patients who admitted to Neurology clinic with the complaint of headache.

Material and Method: Between January 2013 and December 2013, cranial MRI findings of 1613 patients who admitted to the Neurology outpatient clinic with the complaint of headache, were prospectively recorded. Cranial MRI findings were compared by age and sex.

Results: A total of 1613 patients, 620 male and 993 female, were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 43.23±16.81 years. Cranial MRI findings in female patients revealed more results with no pathology compared to the findings of the male patients which was statistically significant (p=0.001).

Conclusion: Patients who present with headache mostly have a diagnosis of primary headache and their MRI examinations are normal. The cause or type of most headaches can be determined by a careful history taking, physical and neurological examination. Further diagnostic tests should only be performed when needed.