The damage that a concussion can do to a person is considerable. The sad fact of the matter is that some concussions go undiagnosed because it is very difficult to get an accurate diagnosis. Oftentimes, the symptoms a person is experiencing is the primary source of information for a concussion diagnosis. Imaging tests, such as CT scans, don’t show the injury.
A new study released in JAMA Neurology states that a simple blood test shows promise for helping doctors diagnose concussions within seven days of the injury occurring. The blood test determines the levels of two proteins that are associated with brain trauma, but not other traumas like broken bones.
As part of the study, 153 children were screened. Those children had suffered a head injury within the previous six hours. Of the children who were screened, the blood was able to accurately identify mild to moderate traumatic brain injuries in 94 percent of the cases. Interestingly, seven patients who were part of the study learned that they needed neurosurgery that was classified as life-saving.
The blood work isn’t something that can be used after the first seven days after the accident. This means that it isn’t going to be useful in diagnosing older injuries. If it is approved for widespread use, it could mean that patients who seek medical care within that 7-day span could be spared exposure to radiation.
If you or your loved one were in an accident and suffered a brain injury, you might decide to seek compensation in New Jersey. This compensation can help to cover the costs of current diagnostic testing, medical treatments, and other expenses related to the accident.
Source: Medical Daily, “Concussions In Sports: Simple Blood Test Could Diagnose Traumatic Brain Injury In 7 Days, Help Prevent CTE,” Justin Caba, March 29, 2016