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Diagnostics

Learn about diagnostic evaluations of concussions and other brain injuries.

3D x-ray of spine/neck

Check the Neck after a Brain Injury

Whiplash and cervical strain occurs when a person’s head and neck are forced back and forth, injuring soft tissues of the neck. They are common after brain injuries.

3D illustration of person holding head in pain

Evaluating and Treating Headaches After Brain Injury

Headaches are extremely common after a traumatic brain injury, but there are various treatments that vary depending on the phenotype or cause.

Woman with eyes closed holding neck in pain

Post-Traumatic Headaches: Not Just One Type or Treatment

Headaches must be evaluated with a comprehensive history and physical examination. There are many options for treatment, but diagnosis has to be the first step.

MRI of brain

Brain Imaging after an Injury

CT and MRI scans are the most common imaging modalities to evaluate people with traumatic brain injury, but advanced imaging methods are more promising for diagnosis and prognosis. However, interpretations of findings can vary.

Young businessman with neck pain at work

Why is “Post-Concussion Syndrome” Controversial?

We do not yet have a clear understanding of what happens in the brain immediately after a concussion and over the days and months that follow, especially for those patients whose symptoms persist. Post-concussion symptom rates vary greatly among research studies, likely because the populations studied are diverse and so are the diagnostic criteria and timing of assessments. The wide variation in symptom rates highlights the fact that there is a lot we still don’t know about concussions.

Close up of child with bandage over head wound

Top Causes of Concussion in Children and Adolescents

When we think of “youth” and “concussion,” the first thing that likely comes to mind is a teenager engaging in a high-risk activity such as football, soccer, or snowboarding. But not all youth brain injury results from these risky activities. Of the millions of concussions reported by emergency rooms every year, figures put concussions related to sports and recreation at just 30% – so 70% of concussions result from other causes.

Chiropractor checking neck injury of patient

Is Concussion a Diagnosis?

Clinicians like me say that concussion requires a clinical diagnosis based on the history of what happened to produce the symptoms. However, because these same symptoms appear in other conditions, and we don’t have reliable biomarkers, diagnosing a concussion can sometimes be a challenge. The lingering effects of a mild brain injury can also continue as a chronic condition, often referred to as post-concussion syndrome or persistent post-concussion symptoms, that still require treatment.

Woman looking pensively from apartment

Mood Disorders Such as Depression Can Complicate a Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury can be associated with depression or another mood disorder, possibly because of the disruption of brain chemicals.

Patient-Centered Approach to Concussion Care: CME & Webinar

A Patient-Centered Approach to Concussion Care: CME & Webinar

Elizabeth Sandel, MD, a physiatrist and brain injury medicine physician, and Conor Gormally, co-founder of Concussion Alliance — a young man who has experienced several concussions — present a patient-centered care approach for emergency medicine and primary care physicians.

Mother and smiling daughter in doctor's office

Will My Child Experience Long-Term Consequences from a Concussion or other Brain Injury?

Although most children recover fully after a single concussion, others have long-term effects. Of course, prevention is the best strategy, but if a concussion occurs, parents must understand a brain injury has occurred.

X-ray of child and headache

How Long Will It Take for My Child to Recover from a Concussion?

Children can experience a range of symptoms after concussion. They require individualized treatments and strategies for returning to activities and to school. A physician with training and experience in treating concussions must provide early interventions and follow-up, regardless of how long recovery takes.

Pocket Guide Featured Image

Self-Reported Concussion Symptoms are Key to Evaluation & Diagnosis

To properly diagnose a concussion and devise a treatment plan requires a thorough physician evaluation, a symptom checklist or an interview, or both, followed by a comprehensive cognitive and physical examination. Download a pocket guide that helps patients prepare for being evaluated.

Dr. Ernie Bryant

Discussion with Dr. Ernie Bryant

Dr. Ernie Bryant is a neuropsychologist with decades of experience treating people with brain injuries of all severities, including concussion. What is a neuropsychological evaluation? Dr. Bryant presents a case of a worker whose neuropsychological examination was complex as is often the case with brain injuries, especially concussions.

Therapist working with young soldier with PTSD

Cognitive Deficits In Veterans After Brain Injury

Cognitive deficits experienced by military personnel and others can be successfully treated with cognitive therapies.

Solider sitting on sofa during therapy

The Emotional Consequences of Brain Injuries in Military Personnel

Military servicemen and servicewomen need early neurologic and psychiatric evaluations and comprehensive treatment after a traumatic brain injury.

RUSK NYU Langone Medical Center

Dr. Elizabeth Sandel: Former AAPM&R Executive Discusses Critical Elements of the Field

In part one, Dr. Sandel talks about physical medicine and rehabilitation and it’s broad scope. In part two, she discusses her mission to educate the public about brain injuries, including concussion. In part three, she discusses what happens to the brain with concussions and repeated concussions. She ends with a case of a patient with a complex diagnosis after a traumatic event that required the diagnosis in order for the best treatment approaches.

Anthony Chen, MD

Modeling Brain Injury Care in the VA System

Dr. Anthony Chen is a neurologist specializing in the evaluation and treatment of veterans with traumatic brain injuries. Dr. Chen discusses the treatment of cognitive disorders that occur after these injuries, and the common co-occurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions in people with a history of…

Hetal Lakhani, MD, and Richard Reyes

Causes of Brain Injury in Military and Veterans

Interview with physiatrist Dr. Hetal Lakhani and 38-year Army veteran, Richard Reyes, who sustained three brain injuries during his military career.

Pair of combat boots and military helmet on wooden background, close up

Military Blast Injuries Can Injure More than the Brain

Military blast injuries can impact the brain, the lungs, the heart, and other organs in the body. Early diagnosis is very important.

Richard Delmonico, PhD

Comprehensive Care of Concussions

Dr. Richard Delmonico, a neuropsychologist, outlines the approaches to triage and treatment in a concussion clinic in the Northern California Kaiser Permanente health system. He also discusses the uses of neuropsychological testing to help with diagnosis and management of people with concussions and other brain injuries.

Melita Moore, MD

Concussions in College Athletes

Dr. Melita Moore, a physiatrist, sports medicine doctor, and brain injury medicine physician reports about her experiences when she served as the physician for University of California Davis sports teams. She discusses collision sports such as football and soccer that have a high incidence of concussion, but also other sports…

Steven Moskowitz, MD

Managing Concussion-Related Pain

Dr. Steven Moskowitz is a physiatrist specializing in pain management. He discusses the various painful conditions, including neck pain and headaches, that occur at high frequency after concussion and related trauma. He advocates for a biopsychosocial approach to the evaluation and treatment of these conditions.

Mel Glenn, MD

The Post-Concussion Syndrome

Physiatrist Dr. Mel Glenn discusses the evaluation of the many symptoms that are part of a chronic condition called post-concussion syndrome or disorder that occurs in some patients after a concussion. He offers advice on the treatment of headaches, sleep disturbances, and other conditions.

Maya Evans, MD

Concussions in Young Children

Dr. Maya Evans is a pediatric physiatrist who treats children and adolescents with brain injuries, including concussions. She discusses the special needs of these populations for expert care and also advocates for prevention strategies.

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