Concussion patients often face persistent and severe symptoms following a head injury, yet traditional diagnostic methods frequently fall short in identifying those at greatest risk. A new international study, published in eClinicalMedicine, a journal affiliated with *The Lancet*, offers a potential solution by introducing a more predictive brain scan technique.
Typically, when patients present with possible traumatic brain injuries (TBI), doctors rely on CT scans to detect bruising, bleeding, or swelling. However, the study suggests that diffusion tensor imaging MRI (DTI) could be more effective in forecasting incomplete recovery several months after injury. This advancement could significantly enhance care for the estimated 1.5 million people hospitalized with TBI in Europe annually.
Despite normal CT scan results, many patients endure lingering symptoms such as severe fatigue, memory issues, headaches, and mental health challenges. Without concrete evidence of brain injury, patients and physicians often struggle to diagnose and treat these symptoms effectively. Dr. Virginia Newcombe, a researcher and emergency physician at the University of Cambridge, highlighted this issue, noting that concussion is often perceived as a “hidden disease.”
The study retrospectively analyzed data from 1,025 adult patients who met TBI criteria, revealing that 38% experienced incomplete recovery three months post-injury. Among patients with normal CT scans, the use of DTI scans improved doctors’ ability to predict poorer outcomes from 69% to 82%.
While DTI technology is not yet widespread in hospitals, the study’s authors believe that integrating this scan into standard practice is feasible, as it requires only adjustments to existing MRI equipment. This could allow doctors to better prioritize follow-up care, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Lisa Brenner, chief executive of the International Brain Injury Association, emphasized that recovery is complex, but this study provides valuable insights for improving decision-making tools for patients with varying injury severity.
