Cervical Spine Pathology as Ongoing Concussion Imitators in Males and Females
Sara Solomon1, Direm Ozal2, Jessica Eisold1, Paige Buddenhagen3, Ashley Maglio4, Danielle Warner3, Kate Essad3
1American University of the Caribbean, 2Ross University School of Medicine, 3Advocate Aurora Health, 4Marquette University
Objective:
To collect and synthesize information regarding neck, whiplash, and cervical injuries that occur concurrently with concussion and the impact of persistent neurological symptoms this causes in males and females.
Background:
A majority of cervical spinal cord injuries occur with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and most of these occur with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). The incidence of non-spinal cord injuries that occur with mTBI is unknown. Neck injuries occurring with concussion have been linked to persistent neurological symptoms beyond the window for concussion routine recovery. This project aims to add to the literature offering a fuller understanding of cervical symptoms present following diagnosis of a concussion and whether there is a difference in prevalence in females versus males.
Design/Methods:
This retrospective chart review was conducted on 1,133 patients referred to a specialty neurology clinic for concussion, ongoing symptoms following concussion, and for neurological symptoms after TBI.
Results:
Data analysis is ongoing. A preliminary, random selection of patients shows that of the 211 patients identified, 142 were given an cervical diagnosis but a resolved concussion diagnosis. There were 91 male patients and 120 female patients included in the study. Of the male patients, 51 (%) were given a cervical diagnosis, and of the female patients, 57 (%) were given a cervical diagnosis.
Conclusions:
Our data suggests that ongoing cervical myofascial, joint, and nerve injury are major causes of neurological symptoms after head and neck injury and these conditions imitate incursion. Early identification of cervical spine pathology would result in additional treatment plans and likely reduce prolonged symptoms after concussion and improve outcomes. While literature usually emphasizes cervical instability being greater in women than men, the condition is prevalent across all genders.