Potential risk of Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS)

 

qEEG screening

Service code s9018

Please note that screening does NOT result in a medical diagnosis; it gives a probabilistic estimate of risk. In other words, the screening gives information on the presence of a pattern in the qEEG that is often – but not always – found in persons with a history of a particular condition.

Short description

PCS is a set of symptoms that a person may experience for weeks, months, or even years after a concussion, – a mild form of traumatic brain injury. The causes for PCS are “shear” forces in which rapid acceleration/deceleration results in different brain parts moving at different rates, thus stretching axonal fibers. A percussion wave travelling through the brain and impacting the skull diagonally opposite the initial impact site can cause further contusion – “contre coup” injury, whilst shear forces at the boundary between white and grey matter can result in axonal shearing. Often PCS is accompanied by psychological, cognitive and emotional symptoms which may last for years.

qEEG screening may help to assess objectively whether your current symptoms are the long-term consequences of an earlier concussion.

Recently (September, 2004) qEEG was approved by the American Federal Drug Administration (FDA) as a medical device suitable for use as an adjunct in the diagnosis of brain patterns consistent with head injuries and PCS.

A pathological residual and/or a compensation to injury is persistent and detectable by qEEG many months or years after traumatic brain injury, and qEEG has been shown to be highly sensitive (96%) in identifying post-concussion syndrome.

Results

By performing this qEEG screening you will get the information on:

  • whether you have a qEEG pattern typical for PCS and
  • the potential extent of its severity.

Notes:

  • The results of qEEG analysis are put in context of published scientific studies, the individual’s health history, complaints, symptoms and psychometric and other evaluations (if available).
  • Present psychotropic medication use may affect the results.

To place a service order, use the following email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (you may bundle several services in the same order).

 

References

  1. Thatcher RW, Walker RA, Gerson I, et al: EEG discriminant analyses of mild head trauma. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 1989; 73: 93–106.
  2. Thatcher RW, Cantor, DS, McAlaster R, et al: Comprehensive predictions of outcome in closed head injury: the development of prognostic equations. Ann NY Acad Sci 1991; 620: 82–104.
  3. Thatcher RW, North DM, Curtin RT, et al: An EEG Severity Index of Traumatic Brain Injury. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2001; 13(1): 77-87.