Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo After Pediatric Sports-Related Concussion

Clinical outcomes for various benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) diagnoses in adolescents and young adults with recent concussions

OBJECTIVE

Determine how positive BPPV findings in adolescents and young adults following concussion impacted the total number of treatments required and time until discharge.

SETTING

Outpatient physical therapy clinic.

PARTICIPANTS

167 individuals who were diagnosed with concussion or brain injury.

DESIGN

Retrospective chart review.

MAIN MEASURES

Total number of treatments and days until discharge were compared for various BPPV diagnoses (anterior canal, posterior canal, horizontal canal, and combination) and for individuals with and without BPPV.

RESULTS

Fifty-one out of 167 cases (30.54%) were diagnosed with BPPV. The total number of treatments provided was statistically different across BPPV diagnoses (P = .004). However, days until discharge were not statistically different between BPPV diagnoses (P = .28). There was no significant difference between time to discharge between those with BPPV (median = 21 days, range = 7-126) and those without (median = 28 days, range = 7-84 days; P = .23, r = 0.09).

CONCLUSION

To optimize outcomes, including symptom resolution and return to sport and/or work, early identification of BPPV and subsequent intervention should be prioritized for individuals who have concussion symptoms that suggest vestibular dysfunction.

The Pharmacological Treatment of Pediatric Vertigo

Vertigo in children is a challenging topic. The lack of dedicated trials, guidelines and papers causes inhomogeneity in the treatment of vertigo in children. Meniere’s disease, migraine equivalents, vestibular neuritis, paroxysmal positional benign vertigo (BPPV), persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) and motion sickness may affect children with various degrees of incidence and clinical severity compared to adults. Several drugs are proposed for the management of these conditions, even if their use is subordinated to the child’s age. In this review, we summarize the existing evidence related to the use of drugs for this clinical condition in children as a start point for new trials, stating the urgent need for international guidelines.

Evaluation of a pilot paediatric concussion telemedicine programme for northern communities in Manitoba

Pediatric concussion patients living in northern communities in Canada can face unique challenges accessing primary and specialized healthcare. In this study we report the clinical characteristics, healthcare utilization, outcomes and estimated cost avoidance associated with a pilot pediatric concussion telemedicine program established between a multi-disciplinary pediatric concussion program in Winnipeg, Manitoba and a hospital in Thompson, Manitoba. From October 1^st- July 1^st, 2018, 20 patients were evaluated; mean age 13.1 years, 15 (75%) males and 14 (70%) self-identified as Indigenous. Injury mechanisms included hockey (50%), falls (35%) and assaults (15%). Median time from referral to initial consultation was 2.0 days. After screening by the neurosurgeon, 90% of patients underwent initial consultation via real-time videoconferencing with 80% managed exclusively through telemedicine. At the end of the study, 90% met the criteria for clinical recovery, one remained in treatment and one was discharged to a headache neurologist. Sixty-six telemedicine encounters were completed including 57 videoconferencing appointments and 9 telephone follow-ups representing an estimated cost avoidance of $40,972.94. This study suggests telemedicine may be a useful approach to assist pediatric concussion programs with delivering timely, safe and cost-effective care to patients living in medically underserviced remote and northern communities in Canada.

A Physiological Approach to Assessment and Rehabilitation of Acute Concussion in Collegiate and Professional Athletes

Sport-related concussion is an important condition that can affect collegiate and professional athletes. Expert consensus guidelines currently suggest that all athletes who sustain acute concussion be managed with a conservative approach consisting of relative rest and gradual resumption of school and sport activities with active intervention reserved for those with persistent post-concussion symptoms lasting >10-14 days for adults. Unfortunately, these recommendations place little emphasis on the rapid physical deconditioning that occurs in athletes within days of exercise cessation or the pathophysiological processes responsible for acute concussion symptoms that can be successfully targeted by evidence-based rehabilitation strategies. Based on our evolving approach to patients with persistent post-concussion symptoms, we now present an updated physiological approach to the initial medical assessment, rehabilitation, and multi-disciplinary management of collegiate and professional athletes with acute concussion. Utilizing the results of a careful clinical history, comprehensive physical examination and graded aerobic exercise testing, we outline how team physicians, and athletic training staff can partner with multi-disciplinary experts in traumatic brain injury to develop individually tailored rehabilitation programs that target the main physiological causes of acute concussion symptoms (autonomic nervous system dysfunction/exercise intolerance, vestibulo-ocular dysfunction, and cervical spine dysfunction) while maintaining the athlete's physical fitness during the recovery period. Considerations for multi-disciplinary medical clearance of collegiate and professional athletes as well as the application of this approach to non-elite athletes are also discussed.