Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- direct blow to the head or deceleration of the head from an impulsive force
- previous brain trauma or alcohol abuse
Other diagnostic factors
- headache
- feeling foggy/slow
- dizziness/balance problems
- memory difficulties
- vomiting/nausea
- normal physical neurologic exam
- abnormalities on neuropsychological testing
Diagnostic investigations
Emerging tests
- PET, single-photon emission CT (SPECT) of head
- alternative imaging techniques
- anatomic brain imaging techniques
Treatment algorithm
Contributors
Authors
Instructor of Orthopaedic Surgery
Division of Sports Medicine
University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre for Sports Medicine Concussion Program
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
PA
Disclosures
LCH declares that he has no competing interests.
Assistant Clinical Professor
Director
General Rehabilitation Unit
UPMC Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Pittsburgh
PA
Disclosures
MT declares that she has no competing interests.
Dr Luke C. Henry and Dr Maria Twichell would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Jeffrey Bazarian and Dr Maryse Lassonde, previous contributors to this monograph. JB has been reimbursed by Roche, the manufacturer of an automated assay for serum S-100B, to attend a conference, and has been reimbursed by Banyan Biomarkers and Neuren Pharmaceuticals to help develop their research protocols. JB is also an author of a reference cited in this monograph. ML is an author of several references cited in this monograph.
Peer reviewers
Professor and Consultant
Department of Neurosurgery
Ulleval University Hospital
Oslo
Norway
Disclosures
EH declares that he has no competing interests.
Director of Athletic Medicine
Princeton University
Princeton
NJ
Disclosures
MP is an author of a reference cited in this monograph.
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