Post-concussive syndrome

Clinical Features

• Most common symptoms
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Decreased concentration
  • Memory problems
  • Sleep Disturbance
  • Irritability
  • Fatigue
  • Visual disturbances
  • Judgment problems
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
• Cluster of symptoms becomes chronic ie for 6 weeks

Differential Diagnosis

Head trauma

• Traumatic brain injury
  • Intracranial hemorrhage
  • Moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury
    • Elevated intracranial pressure
  • Mild traumatic brain injury
    • Clinical decision rules for head CT in trauma
    • Post-concussive syndrome
• Orbital trauma
• Maxillofacial trauma
• Scalp laceration
• Skull fracture
  • Basilar skull fracture
  • Skull fracture (peds)
• Pediatric head trauma
  • PECARN head trauma rule

Evaluation

• Neuropsychological testing
• Symptom checklist

Management

• Symptom management
  • Appropriate referral to TBI clinic or Neuropsychologist

Disposition

• Outpatient

See Also

• Concussion
• Head trauma (main)