Assessment of patients with mild concussion in the emergency department.
OBJECTIVE
(1) To test the validity of the Standardized Assessment of Concussion (SAC) in characterizing the early evolution of concussion-related symptoms and mental status changes in the emergency department (ED) setting and (2) to compare it to the Conner's Continuous Performance Test 2nd Edition (CPT-II).


METHODS
Prospective within-subject (repeated measures) design.


METHODS
Sixty-two persons with concussion (Glasgow Coma Scale = 15) and negative head computed tomographic scan results were examined on arrival in the ED and 3 and 6 hours later.


METHODS
A large urban, tertiary medical center ED.


METHODS
SAC; CPT-II; Post-Concussion Symptom Scale-Revised (PCS-R).


RESULTS
SAC and CPT-II scores improved significantly over the time course in the ED. Symptoms did not correlate with improvement, with many subjects complaining of headache or nausea after their scores improved. The average initial score on the SAC was 21 +/- 5.4/30.


CONCLUSIONS
The SAC appears sensitive to the acute changes following concussion. It may be a useful tool for clinicians in detecting mental status changes after a concussion, when Glasgow Coma Scale and radiologic findings are normal.
Naunheim
Rosanne S
RS
Division of Emergency Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA. naunheir@msnotes.wustl.edu
Matero
David
D
Fucetola
Robert
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged