title: CT of 338 active professional boxers.
abstract: Computed tomography (CT) was performed in 338 active professional boxers. CT scans were abnormal in 25 boxers (7%). The most common CT abnormality was brain atrophy (22 cases). Focal lesions of low attenuation consistent with posttraumatic encephalomalacia were noted in only three boxers. Boxers with abnormal CT scans did not differ from those with borderline or normal CT scans in regard to age, win-loss record, number of bouts, or history of an abnormal electroencephalogram. Thirty-seven boxers with borderline CT scans (49%) and 17 with abnormal CT scans (68%) reported a previous technical knockout (TKO) or knockout (KO), compared with only 89 (37%) of the 238 boxers with normal CT scans (P < .01). Brain atrophy was noted more frequently in boxers with a large cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) than in those with a small or no CSP (P < .05). Boxers with abnormal or borderline CT scans who experienced a TKO or KO were slightly older than those with normal CT scans and a history of a TKO or KO (P < .05).
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Neurology, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021.
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jahre
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Hauser
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Zimmerman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zarrelli
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Lipsitz
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tsairis
authors.forename: F S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Folk
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001284:Atrophy; D001914:Boxing; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000473:pathology; D014695:Cerebral Ventriculography; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004678:Encephalomalacia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012688:Septum Pellucidum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed