title: CT-scan and EEG findings in professional pugilists: early detection of cerebral atrophy in young boxers.
abstract: In order to evaluate the possibility of early detection of minimal cerebral damages in the professional boxers, ten young pugilists were submitted to complete neurological examination, EEG recording and CT-scan. Neuroradiological data, electrical patterns and neurological aspects were examined in connection with sporting career of each boxer. Neurological examination was normal in all cases. EEG patterns were considered normal in 3 cases, borderline in 4 cases and pathological in 3 cases. CT-scan was considered normal in 4 cases, borderline in 4 and pathological (showing signs of cerebral atrophy) in 2 cases. A good correlation was found between CT-scan pictures, EEG patterns and sporting career of the boxers: the pugilistis who suffered knockouts had pathological and/or borderline CT-scan and EEGs, while the pugilists who did not experience knockouts during their career showed a normal CT-scan and EEG, independently of the years of activity and number of matches.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001284:Atrophy; D001914:Boxing; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed