Related Experiment Videos
CT of 338 active professional boxers
B D Jordan1, C Jahre, W A Hauser
1Department of Sports Neurology, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021.
Radiology
|November 1, 1992
Summary
Professional boxers frequently show brain atrophy on computed tomography (CT) scans, with higher rates of technical knockout (TKO) or knockout (KO) in those with abnormal or borderline scans.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Professional boxing carries inherent risks of head trauma.
- Repetitive head impacts may lead to long-term neurological consequences in boxers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prevalence of brain abnormalities using computed tomography (CT) in active professional boxers.
- To investigate the association between CT findings and boxing-related factors like knockouts and cavum septum pellucidum (CSP).
Main Methods:
- Computed tomography (CT) scans were performed on 338 active professional boxers.
- Abnormal CT findings were categorized, and associations with demographic data, fight records, and history of technical knockout (TKO) or knockout (KO) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- 7% of boxers had abnormal CT scans, with brain atrophy being the most common finding (22 cases).
- A significantly higher proportion of boxers with abnormal or borderline CT scans reported a history of TKO or KO compared to those with normal scans (P < .01).
- Brain atrophy was more frequent in boxers with a large cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) (P < .05).
Conclusions:
- Computed tomography reveals a notable prevalence of brain atrophy in professional boxers.
- History of TKO or KO is significantly associated with abnormal or borderline CT findings, suggesting a link between cumulative head trauma and neurological changes.