Epidemiology and Epidemiology and Pathophysiology of Traumatic Pathophysiology of Traumatic

Brain Injury in SportsBrain Injury in SportsDavid W. Wright, M.D.

CaseCase

• You are volunteering as a team physician at your local community league hockey game.

• JR approaches the net for a score when two opposing team players hit him from behind and slam him into the boards.

Case continuedCase continued

• He was slightly off balance when his head hit the brick stepwall.

• As he hit the ice his body stiffened. His arms stretched outward for a moment before he roused.

• Finally, he pulled himself up, shook his head and returned to the bench.

Case continuedCase continued

• The next period, JR gets slammed into the corner post of the goal along with the goalie.

• When he gets up and skates to the bench, he is dazed.

• You notice a glassy stare as the coach yells at him to pay attention.

Case continuedCase continued

• You convince the coach to sit the player out for the period.

• Immediately after the incident, he is dazed and has minimal recollection of the last period.

• His physical and basic neurological evaluations are normal except for the mini-mental status exam.

• He is slow to answer, cannot calculate serial sevens, and remembers only 1 word of the five you asked him to remember.

Case continuedCase continued

• Fifteen minutes later the coach is screaming to get him back into play. The player adamantly argues to you that he is fine and feels normal.

• You decide to reexamine his mini-mental status. He improves his score and is able to remember four out of five words, but still cannot do more than 3 serial sevens and still does not recall any details immediately surrounded the “ding”.

Thoughts to PonderThoughts to Ponder

• What is the significance of JR’s blank stare when he first comes of the ice? What should you do?

• How will you determine if JR has a head injury?• What are the key findings on the sideline physical

exam to look for?• How significant is the fact that he did not seem to lose

consciousness?• Can a mild concussion be life threatening?• Should JR return to play and when?• If he gets another concussion, could the damage be

cumulative?

Sports Head InjuriesSports Head Injuries

• 300,000 sports related concussions per year• 1 out of 20 athletes will get a concussion• 10% of college and 20% of high school athletes

will have a concussion• Younger athletes are at higher risk • Effects of concussions are cumulative• Head injuries account for 65%-85% of all sport

related fatalities• Costs to society of sports head injury unknown,

but overall head injury costs are estimated at $56 billion annually.

Sep-02 5Copyright GE Fanuc Automation, 1999

Epidemiology Epidemiology of Brain Injuryof Brain Injury

Sports/Recreation Among Leading CausesSports/Recreation Among Leading CausesSports/Recreation Among Leading Causes

http://www.biausa.org/preventi.htm

Consequences of ConcussionsConsequences of Concussions

• Immediate• Cognitive impairment (attention, memory, slowed

reaction time)• Somatic problems: Sensitivity to light, dizziness,

headaches, etc.

• Life Threatening• Second Impact Syndrome

• Long term• Post concussive syndrome (cognitive impairment,

personality changes, language difficulties, etc.)

Winter Sports – Head Injuries Winter Sports – Head Injuries • Ice Hockey – one of highest incidence of any sport

• 0.27 – 2.24 per 1000 athlete-exposures1,2,3

• Skiing• 1.27 per 1000 visitor-exposure• 12,700 per year in US3

• Leading cause of death in Skiing injuries• Head injuries account for 14% of all injuries in adults and

22% in children (<16 yo) 3

• Snowboarding• Unknown rate, but head injury increasing from 1000 in

1993 to 5,200 in 19973

• Beginners have higher incidence of head injury1Cantu, et al; 2CIUAU; NCAA; 3U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Winter Sports – Head InjuriesWinter Sports – Head Injuries

• Tobogganing, acrobatic freestyle skiing and tubing also account for high incidence of head injury – rate unknown

• Number of concussions that do not seek medical attention under-reported and therefore unknown.

Ellison, et al; Clancy et al; Johnson et al; Murray et al; Scharplatz et al.

Do helmets make a difference?Do helmets make a difference?

• 44% of head injures in adult skiers (7,700 annually) could be prevented with helmets.

• 53% of head injures in childen skiers (2,600 annually) could be prevented with helmets.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Winter Sports - Helmets UnderutilizedWinter Sports - Helmets Underutilized

• 19/26 ski resorts had helmets for rent1

• None included in standard package1

• Only 1% - 8.6% rented helmets1

• In one study of ER visits for skiing related head injuries, 1/350 was wearing helmet2

1Hennessay et al; 2Levy et al.

Helmets Save BrainHelmets Save Brain

• Football – dramatic reduction in head injuries after new rules about spearing (1976) and helmet use (1978). [Mueller et al.]

HEAD AND CERVICAL SPINE FATALITIES FOR COLLEGIATE FOOTBALL[17]

 Head Injury Cervical Spine

Year Frequency Percent Frequency Percent

1945-1954 87 17.2 32 27.3

1955-1964 115 22.8 23 19.7

1965-1974 162 32.1 42 35.9

1975-1984 69 13.7 14 12.0

1985-1994 33 6.5 5 4.3

1995-2004  39 7.7  1 0.8

TOTALS 505 100.0 117 100.0

Are there permanent and long-term Are there permanent and long-term sequellae of mild concussions?sequellae of mild concussions?

• Bogdanoff et al. - structural changes in brains of boxers after concussions.

• Casson et al. Atrophy and chronic encephalopathy after repeat concussions in boxers.

• Lampert et al. - morphological changes in the brains of boxers.

• Seroni et al. signs of early dementia in young boxers

Are there permanent and long-term Are there permanent and long-term sequellae of mild concussions?sequellae of mild concussions?

• Erlanger et al – long-term cognitive deficits after concussion.

• Cantu et al. - second impact syndrome from mild concussion

Neuropsychological DeficitsNeuropsychological Deficits

• Warden et al, 2001• 14 concussions during boxing

out of 483 military cadets• Persistant slowing of Simple

Reaction Time at 4 days

• Lovell et al, 2003• Some Grade 1 concussions

or “Dings” have cognitive deficits for at least 6 days

Warden et al, 2001

Long lasting? Permanent?Long lasting? Permanent?Post Concussion SyndromePost Concussion Syndrome

• Symptoms at 3 months in 20-75%

• Rutherford et al.• 145 patients with mTBI• 51% with persistent symptoms 6 weeks

after their injury

Post Concussion SyndromePost Concussion Syndrome

• Can last weeks to months• Symptoms

• Fatigue• Headaches• Equilibrium disturbances• Difficulty with concentration• Nausea• Memory complaints• Blurred vision

• Light sensitivity• Depression• Sleep disturbances• Loss of appetite• Anxiety• Hallucinations

DiagnosisDiagnosis

• Deficits• Clinical exam and impression • Often not sensitive

• Neuropsychological testing, • Best test• Not available on sidelines

• Neuroimaging• Currently not sensitive and/or not available

• CT, MRI, fMRI, SPECT, PET

Are Concussions Cumulative?Are Concussions Cumulative?

• In addition to the structural changes listed previously, each concussion can

take its toll on cognition.[Freidman et al.; Jordan et al; Erlanger et al; Collins et al; Kelly et al; Cantu et al: Drew et al; Gaetz et al; Mrazik et al; Gronwall et al; Bailes et al.]

• Athletes with > 3 concussions suffer worse after symptoms with subsequent. [Collins et al.]

• There is a six times risk for repeat concussion if had one previously. [Kelly et al.]

Can Mild Head Injury Be Lethal?Can Mild Head Injury Be Lethal?

• Second impact syndrome (SIS)• First described in 1973 by Schneider• Onset usually causes rapid neurological

demise, brain swelling, and death.• Inciting factor is second impact prior to

recovery of initial mild concussion.

Cantu, et al.

Second Impact SyndromeSecond Impact Syndrome

• Incidence in Football• 1980-1993

• 35 probable cases• 17 “confirmed”• 10 others “likely”

Cantu, et al.

Second Impact Syndrome - factsSecond Impact Syndrome - facts

• Young athletes more susceptible.

• Second impact may be very mild and not even to the head.

• Over 35 reported in football alone.

• Not limited to football, documented in ice hockey, skiing, etc.

Cantu, et al.

Second Impact Syndrome - etiologySecond Impact Syndrome - etiology

• Malignant brain swelling and marked increased intracranial pressures.

• Due to cerebrovascular congestion, or loss of cerebrovascular auto-regulation

• Rapid onset – high mortality >50%, morbidity nearly 100%

Cantu, et al.

Definition: ConcussionDefinition: Concussion

Concussion is a trauma-induced alteration in

mental status

Confusion and amnesia are key

DiagnosingDiagnosing

• Recognition difficult• Variety of signs and symptoms• Signs can be subtle• Athletes reluctant to report• Awareness of problem limited among health

professionals• No specific diagnostic tool

Clinical Signs of ConcussionClinical Signs of Concussion• Vacant stare• Delayed verbal and motor response• Inability to focus attention• Disorientation• Slurred or incoherent speech• Gross observable incoordination• Emotional disturbances• Memory deficits• Any Loss of Consciousness

Clinical Symptoms of ConcussionClinical Symptoms of Concussion• Early

• Headache• Dizziness or vertigo• Lack of awareness of surroundings• Nausea and Vomiting

• Late• Persistent headache• Lightheadedness• Poor attention and memory dysfunction• Emotional, irritable and frustrated• Intolerance to bright lights or sounds, blurred vision, ringing in ear• Anxiety and depressed mood• Sleep disturbances

Mental Status Testing in the FieldMental Status Testing in the Field• Orientation

• Time, place, situation

• Concentration• Digits backwards (3-1-7)(4-6-8-2)(5-3-0-7-4)• Months of the year in reverse order

• Memory• Recall of 3 words and objects at 0 & 5 minutes• Recent news events, details of the contest

• Neuro exam• Strength, sensation, coordination and agility

• Exertional Provocation Tests• 5 push-ups, 5 sit-ups, 5 knee bends, 40 yard sprint

Classification of TBIClassification of TBI

• Mild (GCS 13-15)

• Moderate (GCS 9-12)

• Severe (GCS 3-8)

General Overview of TBIGeneral Overview of TBI

Primary & Secondary Injury

Most common locations of brain contusions after trauma

• Lacerations• Contusions

• Fracture• Coup• Contrecoup• Herniation • Gliding• Intermediary

Secondary InsultsSecondary Insults

Neuron DestinyNeuron Destiny

N ecr osis A poptosi s S tunned N or ma l

E x c i to to x ic D am age

Injured

Primary Injury Dead or dying

Secondary Injury Stunned, Survivable

• Excitatotoxic amino acids

• Glutamate• Glycine

• Receptors•NMDA•AMPA/KA•Other

Secondary Insults at the Neuronal LevelSecondary Insults at the Neuronal Level

Massive calcium influx starts a cascade of deleterious events within the cell subsequently leading to cell necrosis or apoptosis.

Structural and Physiological Changes in Structural and Physiological Changes in Response to Brain InjuryResponse to Brain Injury

Events Immediately Following Trauma • Disruption of the integrity of the tissue• Disruption of the blood-brain barrier• Increase in neurotransmitter levels• Development of edema• Initiation of inflammation• Release of free radicals

Events Hours to Days Following Trauma • All of the above• Development of secondary edema• Hyperplasia and hypertrophy of glial cells• Activation of inflammatory cells• Release of neurotrophic factors• Expression of receptors for neuropeptides• Accumulation of free radicals and lipid peroxidation• Apoptosis and trans-neuronal degeneration

Stein, et al.

Secondary InsultsSecondary Insultsat the Macroscopic Levelat the Macroscopic Level

• Brain Ischemia• Hypotension• Hypoxemia• Anemia

• Intracranial hemorrhages• Edema• Elevated ICP• Metabolic insults

Epidural Hematoma Subdural Hematoma

EdemaEdema

• Recognize• Dilated pupil • Posturing• Worsening neurological

status• CT

• Treatment• ABC’s• Mannitol • Hypertonic Saline

Intracerebral HypertensionIntracerebral Hypertension• Recognize

• Dilated pupil • Posturing• Worsening neurological status• CT• ICP monitor

• Treatment in Emergency Department• ABC’s• Mannitol • Hypertonic saline• Moderate hyperventilation (pCO2 30-40)• Rapid neurosurgical consult

FutureFuture

• Better tools for Sideline Assessment

• Serum Markers of Neuroinjury

• Better diagnostic tools for PCS

• Pharmacological interventions

• Improved understanding of the mechanisms and who is at risk.

Case Follow-upCase Follow-up

JR’s memory deficits seemed to resolve. Under the pressure of the coach, he returned to the game despite your vigorous discouragement. You had no authority to demand he stay out. During the last period, JR was checked from behind. The impact was hard but he did not lose his balance. He continued to play for approximately 5 minutes when suddenly he collapsed on the ice. You found him unresponsive. His pupils were initially responsive to light and equal in size. His vital signs were O2 sat

99%, BP 130/palp, HR 76, RR 24. When you called for the ambulance to transport him to the ER, you noticed his respirations became slower and more labored, and he seemed to extend his arms. A recheck of his pupils found the left one 4 mm and the right 2 mm. A recheck of the vital signs in the ambulance were O2 sat 98%, BP 160/palp, HR 55, RR 8.

Case Follow-up continuedCase Follow-up continued

Because you appropriately suspected secondary impact syndrome and Cushing’s response (due to increased intracranial pressure), you intubated JR using the rapid sequence technique and hyperventilated him. Normal saline was started at KVO though a large bore IV. No other drugs were available in the ambulance. JR was rushed to the emergency department. In transport he began having seizure activity and was given 5 mg of diazepam. Evaluation in the ER included proper placement of the airway, oxygenation at 95%, and repeat exam and vitals signs. The repeat VS were: O2 sat 99%, BP 210/70, HR 45, RR 16

(ventilated). JR was still extending his arms and had a GCS of 3t (E1VtM2).

Case Follow-up continuedCase Follow-up continued

Mannitol was initiated and Neurosurgery was consulted immediately. JR was whisked to the CT scanner where diffuse cerebral edema, slit-like ventricles, and mild uncal herniation were seen on the CT monitor. He was transferred to the neuro intensive care unit and an intracranial pressure monitor was inserted. The monitor consistently displayed ICP’s in the 40-50’s despite mannitol, sedation, and barbiturates. JR subsequently died later that evening.