Adolescent concussions

Abstract

Background: The amount of literature dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of adolescent concussions is considerable. Most articles focus on the athlete. This study examines both sports-related and nonsports-related concussions in adolescents, their etiology, mechanisms of injury (categorized by sport), symptoms exhibited, physical findings, computerized tomography scan results and the problem of prolonged recovery (persistent postconcussion syndrome used in this article to mean symptoms lasting over four weeks.)

Objective: The purpose of this study is to present the data, their significance and a new method of management that has successfully allowed the author's concussed patients to recover more rapidly.

Method: A retrospective review of 863 adolescent concussions, in 11-year-old to 19-year-old patients, from July 2004 through December 31, 2008. Subjects were seen as a result of referrals largely from the author's practice (Pediatric Healthcare Associates), other physicians, athletic trainers or patients previously treated. All concussions, including nonsports-related concussions, were included in the study. Some patients had multiple concussions; 774 individuals accounted for the 863 concussions. The number of patients by age and the number of concussions they sustained are listed below.