AMSSM Home
AMSSM On FaceBook AMSSM On Twitter AMSSM On Linkedin
 

A Fellow's Role In Multiteam Coordination For Severe Brain Injury Management In Football - Page #1
 

Author: Chris Grijalba, DO
Co Author #1: Mark Carrasco, MD
Co Author #2: Steven Brown, MD
Co Author #3: Ian McKeag, MD
Senior Editor: Drew Duerson, MD
Editor: Joseph Chorley, MD

Patient Presentation:
A 19-year-old male collegiate football player with no significant past medical history sustained a head-to-head collision during an onside kick. He was immediately evaluated on the field by the medical team for a suspected concussion.

History:
The patient, a previously healthy collegiate athlete, was initially alert, oriented, and ambulatory following his concussion evaluation. He was able to walk to the sideline unassisted. Within minutes, he became acutely altered, unresponsive, and developed generalized seizure activity. He was promptly assisted to the ground, and his helmet, pads, and uniform were removed to facilitate evaluation. While the medical team was managing a concurrent suspected cervical spine injury involving a separate athlete, the patient's seizure activity persisted. He exhibited sustained decorticate posturing, characterized by bilateral lower extremity extension with internal rotation and upper extremity flexion. Emergent transport was initiated, and the patient was evacuated from the field within 10 minutes of seizure onset.

During transport, he received four intramuscular doses of benzodiazepines with no observable clinical improvement. Upon arrival to the emergency department, he was intubated for airway protection due to ongoing altered mental status and concern for airway compromise.

Physical Exam:
General: Unresponsive.
Eye: Bilateral pupils blown/dilated, unreactive.
Mouth: Mucous secretions noted.
Respiratory: Labored breathing.
Back: No step-off palpated.
Musculoskeletal: No visible deformities noted.
Neurologic: Extensor posturing. Glasgow coma scale: Total Score: 3/15; Eyes Open: 1/4; Verbal: 1/5; Motor: 1/6

Click here to continue. Challenge yourself by writing down a broad differential diagnosis before moving to the next slide.

NOTE: For more information, please contact the AMSSM, 4000 W. 114th Street, Suite 100, Leawood, KS 66211 (913) 327-1415.
 

UPCOMING EVENTS


_________________________________
JUNE 2025
6/26-9/15/2025
2025 Incoming Fellows ITE & U/S Pretests

_________________________________
JULY 2025
7/17-7/20/2025
2025 Fellows Research & Leadership Conference

_________________________________
NOVEMBER 2025
11/11/2025
Case Abstract Submission Deadline

11/20-11/23/2025
2025 AMSSM/OHSU Introductory &/or Diagnostic/Interventional Sports US Course

_________________________________
DECEMBER 2025
12/2/2025
Research Abstract Submission Deadline

12/11-12/13/2025
2025 Advanced Team Physician Course

FIND A SPORTS DOC

Please enter a search term relevant to the search type. For US States - use only letter abbreviations.

Choose Search Type

Zip Code: 

 Choose Search Radius: 

© The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine
4000 W. 114th Street, Suite 100
Leawood, KS 66211
Phone: 913.327.1415


Website created by the computer geek