Indirect Intracranial Pressure Measurement in Patients With Suspected or Documented Concussion

Unlike fractures, concussion can be difficult to recognize and diagnose, given lack of specific diagnostic tests or clinical findings. Current diagnostic recommendations include a multi-factorial approach involving symptom inventory, baseline and post-injury neuropsychological assessment, and balance testing. Lacking from this paradigm is a truly objective measure of physiological changes associated with concussion. In addition, post-concussion symptoms are unique to each individual and vary in occurrence, degree, and severity. For these reasons, a clinical diagnosis of concussion should be made by a healthcare provider familiar with the athlete and knowledgeable in concussion symptom recognition and evaluation. This study aims to determine ICP measurements derived from the HS-1000 non-invasive device in children and adolescents seen in the Akron Children's Hospital Sports Medicine Clinic for concussion (anytime during their care) compared to ICP values obtained in age and gender matched Akron Children's Hospital Sports Medicine Clinic patients with no history of head injury. Patients with a history and/or symptoms of head trauma cared for in the Akron Children's Hospital Sports Medicine Clinic will be invited to participate in this study. Study participants will receive HS-1000 ICP readings for a continuous 16 minute interval in a 30 degree supine position. Recordings will be obtained in one session. When possible, these recordings will be obtained at their initial examination and all follow-up visits. Sports Medicine staff will coordinate the HS-1000 device earplug insertion and recordings so as not to interfere with, nor marginally delay the patient's normal, routine clinical evaluation.