Citation

Dimou S, Lagopoulos J. J. Neurotrauma 2014; 31(5): 413-424.

Affiliation

Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia ; stefan.dimou@gmail.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Mary Ann Liebert Publishers)

DOI

10.1089/neu.2013.3050

PMID

24266534

Abstract

Sports-related concussion is an issue that has piqued the public's attention of late as concerns surrounding potential long-term sequelae as well as new methods of characterising the effects of this form of injury continue to develop. For the most part diagnosis of concussion is based on subjective clinical measures and thus is prone to underreporting. In the current environment where conventional imaging modalities such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are unable to elucidate the degree of white matter damage and neurometabolic change a discussion of two advanced imaging techniques, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), is undertaken with a view to highlighting their potential utility. The authors' goal is to outline a variety of the approaches to concussion research that have been employed, with special attention given to the clinical considerations and acute complications attributed to concussive injury. DTI and MRS have been at the forefront of research due to their non-invasiveness and ease of acquisition and hence it is thought that the use of these neuroimaging modalities has the potential, to aid clinical decision-making and management including guiding return to play protocols.

Language: en