Citation

Zusman EE, Zopfi P, Kuluva J, Zuckerman S. World Neurosurg. 2016; 97: 725-727.

Affiliation

Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.wneu.2016.05.096

PMID

27288583

Abstract

Hiroshi Yokota's article "Acute subdural hematoma in judo player with repeated head injuries" shines a light on the serious risks of traumatic brain injuries associated with the traditional Japanese sport of judo, and of a relative lack of policies and guidelines for proper handling of concussion in young athletes more generally. The article also highlights the dangers of returning concussed athletes to play prematurely and the risk of second impact syndrome (SIS), a hotly debated diagnosis worldwide. The article, which details a single case, helps demonstrate that protocols in management of concussion and sports related traumatic brain injury (TBI) should not rely on imaging alone, but primarily be based on the athlete's symptoms. Fortunately, sport-specific guidelines have been and are still being developed in the U.S. and around the world. Understanding and implementation of these guidelines, however, is not universal. Good models for hospital-based, state-of-the-art concussion treatment and education centers do exist, and could serve as examples for other entities working to provide communities with better concussion care.

Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Language: en