Concussions Flashcards
1
Q
Concussions are also known as?
A
mild traumatic brain injury
2
Q
- What kind of trauma are concussions due to? 3
- Due to what kind of pathology?
- How do most resolve?
- Full recovery in how long?
A
1.
- direct blow,
- countercoup, or
- rotational/acceleration injury
- Due to changes in brain physiology rather than structural changes
- 80–90% resolve in a short period (7–10 days)
- Most HS athletes fully recovered in 14-21 days
3
Q
Define the following:
- Coup?
- Countercoup?
- Rotational?
- Can it happen without trauma?
A
- Coup- direct blow – skull driven into brain
- Countercoup- brain driven into far skull
- Rotational-features of both
- yes, deceleration injury
4
Q
What do concussions impair?
3
What will CT, MRI and EEG show?
A
- Glucose metabolism
- Cerebral blood flow
- Axonal Function
structural changes are rare (normal imaging)
5
Q
Diagnosis of concussion?
5
A
- history,
- signs and symptoms,
- exam findings, 4. neurocognitive testing,
- balance testing
6
Q
Loss of consciousness seen in only 10%
Presence of ________ more predictive of symptoms and neurocognitive deficits than loss of consciousness.
A
amnesia
7
Q
Cognitive symptoms of concussion?
6
A
- Feeling ‘dinged, foggy, or dazed’ – not ‘with it’
- Inability to focus attention – easily distracted
- Cognitive slowing, confusion, amnesia
- Memory dysfunction: disorientation
- —-Repeatedly asking the same question - Inappropriate emotionality: sadness, irritability, anger
- Fatigue
8
Q
Physical Symptoms of concussion?
8
A
- Double vision,
- seeing stars,
- light sensitivity
- Headaches,
- ringing in the ears,
- nausea
- Balance problems and dizziness
- Difficulty falling asleep or sleeping less than usual
9
Q
Physical Signs of concussion?
8
A
- Vacant stare
- Poor coordination or unsteady gait
- Slow to answer questions or follow commands
- Poor concentration
- Slurred or incoherent speech
- Behavior or personality changes
- Diminished ability or reckless playing behavior
- Loss of consciousness or seizure
10
Q
How should we test mental staus? 3
A
- Orientation
- Concentration
- Memory
11
Q
- How should we test orientation? 4
- How should we test concentration? 2
- How should we test memory? 2
A
- time,
- place,
- person,
- situation
- subtraction
- months backwards
- details of contest
- recent newsworthy events
12
Q
How should we test for gait and balance?
3
A
- Have patient walk away and back - look for imbalance
- Tandem gait: heel-toe on a straight line
- Romberg: feet together and close eyes positive if they lose their balance
13
Q
Signs Demanding Emergency Action
6
A
- Increasing headache, nausea, vomiting
- Progressive impairment of consciousness
- Gradual rise in blood pressure
- Diminution of the pulse rate
- Blown pupil
- Disorientation
14
Q
Head injury referral: Emergent?
6
A
- Suspicion for hematoma
- C-spine injury
- Worsening LOC
- Focal motor weakness
- Transient quadriparesis
- Seizure
15
Q
Head injury referral: General?
5
A
- Persistent headache > 7 days
- Post concussion syndrome lasting > 2 wks
- Abnormal neuropsych testing
- History of multiple high grade concussions
- Clinical judgment
16
Q
Concussion Can Mimic Other Disorders such as?
6
A
- Substance Abuse/Dependency
- Intermittent Explosive Disorder
- Suicidal Ideation/Tendencies
- Depression
- Mood Disorder
- Impulse Control