Neurologic Care in Concussion and Post-Concussive Encephalopathy

Concussion has become a more recent "medical fad" with a lot of media coverage and hence an increasing incidence. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention there are estimates of as many as 3.8 million sport-related traumatic brain injuries occurring annually (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2007). Given these numbers, concussion care will require that both primary and specialist physicians feel comfortable in its management. This article will discuss the pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical evaluation, therapies and prognosis in patients with concussion. The complex and chronic symptoms after a concussion and their management will be highlighted. Appropriate concussion care is essential for improving both the long and short term outcomes in adolescent athletes. There is an important role for the neurologist in improving the outcome in these athletes.