Postconcussion syndrome (PCS) in the emergency department: predicting and pre-empting persistent symptoms following a mild traumatic brain injury

No Thumbnail Available
Authors
Reuben, Adam
Sampson, P.
Harris, A. R.
Williams, H.
Yates, Phil
Journal
Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
Type
Journal Article
Review
Publisher
BMJ
Rights
Head injuries across all age groups represent an extremely common emergency department (ED) presentation. The main focus of initial assessment and management rightly concentrates on the need to exclude significant pathology, that may or may not require neurosurgical intervention. Relatively little focus, however, is given to the potential for development of post-concussion syndrome (PCS), a constellation of symptoms of varying severity, which may bear little correlation to the nature or magnitude of the precipitating insult. This review aims to clarify the aetiology and terminology surrounding PCS and to examine the mechanisms for diagnosing and treating.
Citation
Emerg Med J. 2014 Jan;31(1):72-7.
Note
RD&E staff can access the full-text of this article by clicking on the 'Additional Link' above and logging in with NHS OpenAthens if prompted.