Concussion

Concussion is a traumatic brain injury. In most cases, it is mild and accounts for an average of 70-80% of neurosurgical injuries.

Since concussion is a mild TBI, it is not accompanied by macroscopic morphological changes in the nervous tissue of the brain. These changes can be determined by microscopic examination. They include disruption of the structure of neurons, changes in cell membranes, mitochondria and other structural elements of cells.

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Symptoms of a concussion

Concussion is characterized by the fact that clinical symptoms develop and subside quite quickly. The main symptom is a short-term (often instantaneous) loss of consciousness (fainting), which very rarely lasts up to 10-20 minutes. Against the background of the unconscious state, reactions to painful stimuli persist. Loss of consciousness with concussion in children from infancy to school age is very rare.

Short-term loss of consciousness turns into a state of stunning. In this case, such symptoms of concussion as drowsiness, lethargy, indifference to others can be observed. Nausea can often be observed, and sometimes a single vomiting, which in infants can be of the nature of regurgitation. In the clinical picture, general cerebral symptoms of concussion predominate: headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, memory loss (amnesia) often occurs. Almost always with a concussion, mild focal symptoms occur, which quickly regress within 24 hours. The most diagnostically significant focal symptoms of concussion are spontaneous horizontal nystagmus, Marinescu-Radovic symptom, disappearance or weakening of abdominal reflexes, Sedan symptom, Gurevich-Mann symptom, weakness of convergence, mild tendon hypo- or hyperanisoreflexia. Patients are irritated by bright light and noise, and are characterized by various autonomic disorders (increased body temperature, hyperhidrosis, rapid fatigue, psychological exhaustion, lethargy).

Diagnosis of concussion

Concussion diagnosis is based on typical clinical symptoms. It should be noted that any additional research methods do not reveal any pathological changes.

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Treatment of concussion

Concussion treatment is conservative. It is based on dynamic observation and strict bed rest for 7-10 days, as well as symptomatic treatment methods, which include analgesics, sedatives, and, if necessary, antiemetic drugs. Concussion is treated with antihistamines and natural antioxidants (vitamin E) on the first day. If the headache does not stop, even with the use of analgesics, a lumbar puncture is mandatory to determine the cerebrospinal fluid pressure. Depending on the indicator, appropriate treatment is prescribed.