Strategies to avoid a missed diagnosis of co-occurring concussion in post-acute patients having a spinal cord injury

Abstract

Research scientists and clinicians should be aware that missed diagnoses of mild-moderate traumatic brain injuries in post-acute patients having spinal cord injuries may approach 60-74% with certain risk factors, potentially causing clinical consequences for patients, and confounding the results of clinical research studies. Factors leading to a missed diagnosis may include acute trauma-related life-threatening issues, sedation/intubation, subtle neuropathology on neuroimaging, failure to collect Glasgow Coma Scale scores or duration of posttraumatic amnesia, or lack of validity of this information, and overlap in neuro-cognitive symptoms with emotional responses to spinal cord injuries. Strategies for avoiding a missed diagnosis of mild-moderate traumatic brain injuries in patients having a spinal cord injuries are highlighted in this perspective.

Keywords

• microtubule
• axon
• kinesin-5
• Eg5
• regeneration
• monastrol
• molecular motor protein
• aging
• neurodegenerative disorders
• telomere shortening
• MSCs
• cellular therapy
• traumatic brain injury
• spinal cord injuries
• dual diagnosis
• diagnosis
• complications
• rehabilitation
• post-concussion syndrome
• brain concussion