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Postconcussion Syndrome

(PCS; Persistent PCS)

Definition

Postconcussion syndrome (PCS) refers to continued symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury. Most often it resolves within a month but sometimes the symptoms persist for much longer.

Getting treated early for PCS may help you get better faster. If you think you have PCS, contact your doctor right away.

The Brain

Causes

The exact cause of PCS is unknown. Several factors contribute to PCS, including:

Microscopic brain damage from a mild brain injury

Psychological or emotional stress that results from a mild brain injury

Risk Factors

These factors increase your chance of developing PCS. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:

A mild concussion or brain injury caused by a car accident or assault

Feeling depressed or being diagnosed with depression after a mild brain injury

Low social support , including not having a lot of close friends or people to confide in after a mild brain injury

Symptoms

PCS symptoms vary from person-to-person. If you experience any of these symptoms do not assume it is due to PCS. These symptoms may be caused by other, less serious health conditions. If you experience any one of them, see your doctor. Symptoms include:

Headache

Dizziness

Balance problems

Nausea

Vision problems

Being very sensitive to noise and/or light

Depression

Mood swings—a quick change in mood (eg, being happy to becoming very sad)

Anxiety

Becoming easily irritated or annoyed for little or no reason

Trouble remembering things

Trouble concentrating or paying attention

Trouble sleeping

Feeling tired all the time

Diagnosis

PCS is hard to diagnose. The brain damage caused by a mild brain injury is so slight that many tests cannot detect it. It is important to see a doctor with special training in brain injury. These doctors are called neurologists, neuropsychologists, and neurosurgeons. To find one of these doctors, call a local head injury foundation for a referral.

Your doctor will ask questions about:

Your personal and family medical history

Your head injury

Sleep habits

Recent missed work or school

Recent memory or relationship problems

Recent emotional problems, such as irritability, anxiety , and depression

Tests may include:

Memory and attention tests—to assess your memory and attention abilities

CT scan —a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of structures inside the head; to look for signs of persistent injury and/or to see if surgery may improve the symptoms

MRI scan —a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of structures inside the head; to look for signs of persistent injury and/or to see if surgery may improve the symptoms

Electroencephalogram (EEG)—A test which evaluates the electrical activity of the brain.

Treatment

PCS treatment depends on your symptoms. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following:

Medications

Over-the-counter medications to reduce the severity of headaches

Antidepressants to help reduce depression and anxiety

Nerve blocks to relieve severe, nerve-injury induced pain/headaches

Psychological Treatment

Talking with a mental health professional about the problems you are having related to PCS

Learning how to cope with those problems in your life

Vocational Therapy

Learning skills and training to start or resume a career

Neurotherapy

Neurotherapy (also called biofeedback ) is a painless treatment using computers to help you learn how to modify your brainwaves to improve attention and memory.

Surgery

In some cases, a collection of blood in an area of bruising on the brain may require surgery, which may help resolve or improve symptoms.

Prevention

There are no guidelines for preventing PCS because the cause is not known. To help reduce your chances of getting PCS, take the following steps:

Prevent brain injury by following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and the Brain Injury Association of America .

See a doctor who specializes in brain injury as soon as you think you may have PCS.

RESOURCES:

Brain Injury Association of America

National Help Line: 800-444-6443

http://www.biausa.org/

US Centers for Disease Control

http://www.cdc.gov/index.htm/

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Psychiatric Association

http://www.cpa-apc.org/

Ontario Brain Injury Association

http://www.obia.on.ca/

References:

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Child Health A to Z. Quantitative EEG. Children’s Hospital Boston website. Available at: http://www.childrenshospital.org/cfapps/A2ZtopicDisplay.cfm?Topic=Quantitative%20EEG . Accessed July 17, 2005.

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Last reviewed September 2012 by Rimas Lukas, MD

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.