Case 4: Does a Hard Hit Always Lead to a Concussion?
Figure 4. Points of impact. Courtesy of the Matthew Gfeller Sport-Related TBI Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The helmet impact sensors of a 17-year-old football defensive end recorded 31 head impacts over two practice sessions. During the morning practice, two impacts were sustained to the front of the head, registering gravitational forces (g) of 79 g and 98 g, respectively. These accelerations exceed crash test dummy head accelerations following an airbag deployment, but they do not factor in the potential systemic polytrauma sustained by individuals in a motor vehicle crash. During the second practice session later that same day, he sustained two more head impacts to the front of the head. These measured 65 g and 64 g, respectively.
The athlete reported symptoms to the athletic training staff only after the last impact and did not complain of any symptoms from the impacts sustained earlier in the day.
Public Information from the CDC and Medscape
Cite this: First-Ever Pediatric Concussion Guidelines: Real-Life Cases - Medscape - Nov 15, 2018.
Classification and Complications of Traumatic Brain Injury
Neurocritical Care for Severe Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury
COMMENTARY
First-Ever Pediatric Concussion Guidelines: Real-Life Cases
Debra Houry, MD, MPH
DisclosuresNovember 15, 2018
Editorial Collaboration
Medscape &
Case 4: Does a Hard Hit Always Lead to a Concussion?
Figure 4. Points of impact. Courtesy of the Matthew Gfeller Sport-Related TBI Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The helmet impact sensors of a 17-year-old football defensive end recorded 31 head impacts over two practice sessions. During the morning practice, two impacts were sustained to the front of the head, registering gravitational forces (g) of 79 g and 98 g, respectively. These accelerations exceed crash test dummy head accelerations following an airbag deployment, but they do not factor in the potential systemic polytrauma sustained by individuals in a motor vehicle crash. During the second practice session later that same day, he sustained two more head impacts to the front of the head. These measured 65 g and 64 g, respectively.
The athlete reported symptoms to the athletic training staff only after the last impact and did not complain of any symptoms from the impacts sustained earlier in the day.
Public Information from the CDC and Medscape
Cite this: First-Ever Pediatric Concussion Guidelines: Real-Life Cases - Medscape - Nov 15, 2018.
Tables
References
Authors and Disclosures
Authors and Disclosures
Author
Debra Houry, MD, MPH
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia