Citation

Howe LL. Clin. Neuropsychol. 2009; 23(8): 1315-1337.

Affiliation

VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA. lauralshowe@yahoo.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13854040903266928

PMID

19882474

Abstract

In the military and Veterans Administration systems, individuals with potential MTBI are presenting with symptoms in excess of what would be expected based on initial injury characteristics and/or at unexpected time periods based on current research findings. This article investigates factors that might account for the discrepancy between current research expectations and some occurrences in clinical practice. The physics of blast waves, as well as animal and human research, relevant to explosions are reviewed. Additional factors that occur within the military blast exposure milieu are also explored because the context in which an injury occurs can potentially impact symptom severity and course of recovery. Differential diagnoses, iatrogenic illness, diagnosis threat, and symptom embellishment are also considered.

Language: en