Susceptibility-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of Microbleeds in Pediatric Concussion
Shane Virani1,2, Alexander Barton3, Bradley G Goodyear3,4,5,6
1Department of Pediatrics, 70402Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Insights
Pediatric concussion did not show increased cerebral microbleeds years later compared to orthopedic injuries. Long-term brain structure effects, including microbleeds, require further study in children with persistent symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Pediatric Neurology
- Traumatic Brain Injury
Background:
- Long-term effects of pediatric concussion on brain structure remain unclear.
- Cerebral microbleeds are potential indicators of brain injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess cerebral microbleeds in children and adolescents years after concussion.
- To determine the clinical significance of these microbleeds.
Main Methods:
- Susceptibility-weighted imaging was used to quantify hypointensity burden (cerebral microbleeds).
- Participants included children with concussion (n=35) and orthopedic injury (n=20).
- Symptom ratings and cognitive tests were administered.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in hypointensity burden was found between concussion and orthopedic injury groups.
- Microbleed burden did not correlate with depression, postconcussion symptoms, or cognitive performance in the concussion group.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric concussion does not appear to increase cerebral microbleeds approximately 2.5 years post-injury.
- Longitudinal studies and investigation of persistent symptoms are needed to understand long-term concussion effects on microbleeds.
Objective:
The long-term consequences of pediatric concussion on brain structure are poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the presence and clinical significance of cerebral microbleeds several years after pediatric concussion.
Methods:
Children and adolescents 8-19 years of age with either a history of concussion (n = 35), or orthopedic injury (n = 20) participated. Mean time since injury for the sample was 30.4 months (SD = 19.6). Participants underwent susceptibility-weighted imaging, rated their depression and postconcussion symptoms, and completed cognitive testing. Parents of participants also completed symptom ratings for their child. Hypointensities in susceptibility-weighted images indicative of cerebral microbleeds were calculated as a measure of hypointensity burden.
Results:
Hypointensity burden did not differ significantly between participants with a history of concussion and those with a history of orthopedic injury. Depression ratings (self and parent report), postconcussion symptom ratings (self and parent report), and cognitive performance did not significantly correlate with hypointensity burden in the concussion group.
Conclusions:
These findings suggest that at approximately 2.5 years postinjury, children and adolescents with prior concussion do not have a greater amount of cerebral microbleeds compared to those with orthopedic injury. Future research should use longitudinal study designs and investigate children with persistent postconcussive symptoms to gain better insight into the long-term effects of concussion on cerebral microbleeds.
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