Hemorrhages seen on brain images after mild traumatic brain injury may increase the risk of post-concussion syndrome: A Clinical Study

Background and Aim: Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) mostly develops the symptoms that may persist for over three months and is named post-concussion syndrome (PCS). There is a gap for the identification of PCS risk factors in mTBI victims. Putative risk factors were investigated, hear.  Methods and materials/Patients: In a cross-sectional study, demographic, clinical and radiological data of 388 mTBI patients referred to Poursina hospital from March 2017 to December 2018 and have spent at least 3 months since TBI onset were collected using hospital information system (HIS). The patients were subjectively examined to diagnosis PCS by a general physician using the phone interview via Rivermead Post-concussion symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ). The subjects separated to groups with and without PCS. Data was analyzed by proper statistical tests. Results: Of 388 mTBI patients 191 people consent to complete the RPQ. About 59.17% of people were experienced PCS. There was no significant difference in demographic variables and past medical history between groups. However, previous psychological disease particularly was associated with PCS (P>0.043). Length of hospitalization, functional outcome during discharge and post-resuscitation consciousness did not show any significant association with PCS (P< 0.05). Interestingly, initial abnormal brain scan, fronto-temporal lesion and accompanied hemorrhages were identified as risk factors of mTBI-induced PCS. A direct proportional relationship was found between the occurrence of the syndrome and the severity of trauma.  Conclusion: This study emphasized on the significance of early brain scans data for the prediction of PCS appearance and the necessity of proper follow-up care for the population at risk as well as suggested to apply this data as an objective trajectory to measure PCS in those who simulated PCS for the litigation.    

کلیدواژه ها:

Mild traumatic brain injury ، Post-concussion syndrome ، neuroimaging ، Risk factors