Imaging techniques for concussion
Concussions are invisible
There aren't any imaging techniques available for diagnosing concussions just yet. It is important to know that traditional CT scans or MRIs do not aid in the diagnosis of concussions, however they are very beneficial in ruling out more serious problems. These imaging tools are very useful in helping to determine if there has been a skull fracture or a hematoma (brain bleed), and should be used sparingly. Not every athlete who suffers a concussion needs imaging. A concussion is a metabolic imbalance that does not show up on a CT scan or an MRI. A negative result on either of these tests does not mean an injury did not occur.
CT scans
CT scans are very useful for diagnosing hematomas (brain bleeds) and skull fractures. They do not aid in the diagnosis of concussions. Not all athletes who suffer concussions require a CT scan, and care must be given not to add radiation to a young person's lifetime accumulation unnecessarily.
MRI
MRIs give medical professionals a finer image of the brain, but do not aid in the diagnosis of concussion. They are very useful in the diagnosis of hematomas and skull fractures. MRIs use magnets, not radiation to create the images.
Advanced imaging
Research continues on the following imaging methods, and others, as they apply to concussions:
DTI (diffusion tensor imaging)
fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging)
PET (positron emissions tomography)
SPECT (Single-photon emission computed tomography)
Dr. William Meehan, III Harvard University instructor; Director, Sports Concussion Clinic, Children's Hospital Boston, Mass.