Abstract
Epidemiologic studies have suggested that concussion, or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), is associated with a twofold or greater increase in relative risk for the development of post-traumatic epilepsy. To assess the clinical validity of these findings, we analyzed the incidence of epilepsy in a large cohort of post-concussion patients in whom concussion was strictly defined according to international guidelines. A retrospective cohort study of 330 consecutive post-concussion patients followed by a single concussion specialist. Exclusion criteria: abnormal brain CT/MRI, Glasgow Coma Scale48 hours. Independent variable: concussion. Outcome measure: epilepsy incidence (dependent variable). The mean number of concussions/patient was 3.3 (±2.5), mean age at first clinic visit 28 years (±14.7), and mean follow-up after first concussion 7.6 years (±10.8). Eight patients were identified whose medical records included mention of seizures or convulsions or epilepsy. Upon review by an epileptologist none met criteria for a definite diagnosis of epilepsy: four had episodic symptoms incompatible with epileptic seizures (e.g., multifocal paraesthesiae, multimodality hallucinations, classic migraine) and normal EEG/MRI investigations; four had syncopal (n=2) or concussive (n=2) convulsions. Compared with annual incidence (0.5/1000 individuals) in the general population, there was no difference in this post-concussion cohort (p=0.49). In this large cohort of post-concussion patients we found no increased incidence of epilepsy. For at least the first 5-10 years post-injury, concussion/mTBI should not be considered a significant risk factor for epilepsy. In patients with epilepsy and a past history of concussion, the epilepsy should not be presumed to be post-traumatic.
Highlights
Epidemiologic studies have suggested that concussion, or mild traumatic brain injury, is associated with a twofold or greater increase in relative risk for the development of post-traumatic epilepsy
Concussion/mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) was defined in accordance with the current consensus statements on concussion in sport.[14,15,16]
The other patients presented with concussion/mTBI related to a variety of other mechanisms, including work place injuries, motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) and falls
Summary
Epidemiologic studies have suggested that concussion, or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), is associated with a twofold or greater increase in relative risk for the development of post-traumatic epilepsy. To assess the clinical validity of these findings, we analyzed the incidence of epilepsy in a large cohort of post-concussion patients in whom concussion was strictly defined according to international guidelines. Upon review by an epileptologist none met criteria for a definite diagnosis of epilepsy: four had episodic symptoms incompatible with epileptic seizures (e.g., multifocal paraesthesiae, multimodality hallucinations, classic migraine) and normal EEG/MRI investigations; four had syncopal (n = 2) or concussive (n = 2) convulsions. Conclusion: In this large cohort of post-concussion patients we found no increased incidence of epilepsy. For at least the first 5-10 years post-injury, concussion/mTBI should not be considered a significant risk factor for epilepsy. In patients with epilepsy and a past history of concussion, the epilepsy should not be presumed to be post-traumatic
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More From: Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences / Journal Canadien des Sciences Neurologiques
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