Radiographic and neurobehavioral profile of sports-related concussion associated with scholastic wrestling: a case report

ABSTRACT

Sports-related concussions (SRCs) are typically characterized by transient neurologic deficits due to physiologic and metabolic brain injury. However, following an SRC, subsequent insults may lead to severe and permanent injury in the affected brain cells. We present the case of a 15-year-old female scholastic wrestler who developed acute encephalopathy, macroscopic white matter injury on imaging, and chronic behavioral changes from inadequate neuro-recovery after a documented SRC. We also compare her case with established SRC data, demonstrating that wrestling-related concussions and repetitive head impacts can produce similar degrees of diffuse neuroinflammation, myelinated axonopathy, blood-brain barrier disruption, and post-concussive symptoms.

KEYWORDS:

• Sports related concussion
• repetitive head injury
• sub-concussive Injury
• traumatic brain injury
• neuroimaging
• neurobehavior
• scholastic wrestling
• longitudinal outcomes

Acknowledgments

The following individuals have been invaluable in providing information on scholastic wrestling practices at the high school and collegiate levels.

Peter Dominic Rinaldi, DO

Volunteer Clinical Faculty

University of California, Davis

Department of Orthopedic Surgery

Marques Gales

Assistant Professor

Kinesiology/Health/Athletics

Head Wrestling Coach

Sacramento City College

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.