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Concussion / mild traumatic brain injury

Checked: 24-09-2024 by Vicky Ryan Next Review: 23-09-2026

Overview

Clinical Knowledge Summaries has some advice on Head Injury including initial assessment and how to manage patients with persistent symptoms.

After a minor head injury, people sometimes develop what is known as post-concussion syndrome (PCS). In many cases these symptoms resolve themselves within a few days or weeks. However, in some cases problems can persist for months.

Post-concussion symptoms include:

Cognitive (thinking) symptoms
Physical symptoms
Emotional and behavioural symptoms.

Red Flags

Although it is unlikely, serious complications can arise in the days and even weeks after a minor head injury. Patients should be advised to attend A&E if they experience the symptoms listed below:

Loss of consciousness
New deafness in one or both ears
Loss of balance or problems walking
Any weakness in one or both arms or legs
Any vomiting
Clear fluid coming out of ears or nose
Drowsiness when would normally be wide awake
Increasing disorientation
Problems understanding or speaking
Blurred or double vision
Severe headache not relieved by painkillers such as paracetamol
Bleeding from one or both ears
Any fits (collapsing or passing out suddenly)
Inability to be woken

Services

Dr Kanch Sharma, Neurologist at NBT, is now running a monthly sports concussion/mild traumatic brain injury outpatient service with the capacity to see approximately 50 patients a year.

e-RS Service name- Concussion/mild traumatic brain injury clinic SMD Service ID: 7957034

Inclusion criteria:

concussion symptoms lasting ≥2 weeks
Age ≥16

Exclusion criteria:

abnormal brain imaging
Injury >2yr ago
FND diagnosis

Secretary: Janette.Duggan@nbt.nhs.uk

Resources

Patient information:

See the Headway website for information from The Brain Injury Association which is a charity that provides support for patients that have had a brain injury.

They provide a patient booklet: Minor head injury and concussion which may be useful.

SIGN guidelines:

Brain injury rehabilitation in adults (March 2013)

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