Concussion

Question 1

What is concussive injury to the spinal cord like?

Answer 1

• bruising of the spinal cord

Question 2

What can concussive injury to the spinal cord lead to?

Answer 2

• local dysfunction of axons and cell bodies at the site of concussion
• it may get worse over a period of hours after the initial insult to the spinal cord, but will in many cases subside over a period of days to weeks

Question 3

How do concussive injuries present?

Answer 3

• as sudden onset, with some initial deterioration

Question 4

Tx

Answer 4

• no current therapy that will help
• but in most cases, except the most severe, will improve with rest

Question 5

What can very severe cases progress to?

Answer 5

• ascending myelomalacia
  – this is uncommon