title: Concussion in sports.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recently, concussion has become a topic of much discussion within sports. The goal of this review is to provide an overview of the literature concerning the definition of concussion, management of initial injury, return to play, and future health risks.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article reviews the most recent findings on recognizing and managing sports-related concussion, which has become a significant health risk. We reviewed articles from the literature discussing concussion and its effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Though concussion patients typically have negative head imaging, imaging is warranted in those with severe mechanism, significant loss of consciousness, focal neurologic deficit, or worsening symptoms. The existence of "second-impact syndrome," whereby a first minor head injury predisposes an athlete to later catastrophic injury, remains controversial; however, it is clear that concussion has significant effects on a patient and should be considered carefully in return-to-play decisions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A comprehensive understanding of concussion and its related risks is important in making return-to-play decisions as well as health care and league policy.
authors.affiliation: Weill-Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Heather J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: McCrea
authors.affiliation: Weill-Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Perrine
authors.affiliation: Weill-Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Sumit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Niogi
authors.affiliation: Weill-Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Härtl
keywords: concussion; mild traumatic brain injury; return to play; sports concussion