title: An overview of concussion in sport.
abstract: Concussion is a sudden-onset, transient alteration of consciousness due to a combination of functional and structural brain disturbances following a physical impact transmitted to the brain. It is a common, although likely underreported, condition encountered in a wide range of sports. In the Australian Football League, concussion is estimated to occur at a rate of approximately seven injuries per team per season. While many instances of concussion are clinically mild, there is emerging evidence that a player's full recovery from a concussive injury may be more delayed and the sequelae of repeated concussions more severe than previously thought. In this light, a more conservative and rigorous approach to managing players with concussive injuries may be warranted, with the guiding principle being the player's immediate and long-term welfare. The current paper reviews the sports concussion literature. The definition, epidemiology, aetiology, pathophysiology, structural pathology, clinical features, assessment and investigation, treatment principles, and short-term and potential long-term complications of concussion are discussed. Special considerations in paediatric sports concussion, and the return-to-play implications of immediate, evolving and repetitive brain injury are also considered, as are the emerging concept and possible implications of subconcussive injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia.
authors.forename: Vini G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Khurana
authors.forename: Andrew H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Kaye
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D020208:Brain Injury, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D013178:Sports Medicine / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D055815:Young Adult