It's in the game: A review of neurological lesions associated with sports

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2023

Authors

Pedrosa, M (Author) Other; Martins, B (Author) Other; Araújo, R (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Journal of the Neurological Sciences

Vol. 455

ISSN: 0022-510X

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00Z-EZT

DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2023.122803

Abstract (EN): Introduction: The practice of sports may lead to neurological injuries. While relatively uncommon (overall incidence of approximately 2.5%), and mostly benign and transient, some conditions may be life-threatening and permanent. Thus, both clinical neurologists and sports physicians should be aware of their existence and rele-vance. We aimed to review all sports-related neurological injuries and illnesses reported in the literature.Methods: Following SANRA guidelines, we performed a narrative review and searched PubMed and Scopus da-tabases. Relevant sports were selected based on their recognition as an Olympic sport by the International Olympic Committee. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and other neurodegenerative disorders were not included.Results: A total of 292 studies were included concerning 33 different sports. The most reported neurological injury was damage to the peripheral nervous system. Traumatic injuries have also been extensively reported, including cerebral haemorrhage and arterial dissections. Non-traumatic life-threatening events are infrequent but may also occur, e.g. posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, cerebral venous thrombosis, and arterial dissections. Some conditions were predominantly reported in specific sports, e.g. yips in baseball and golf, raising the possibility of a common pathophysiology. Spinal cord infarction due to fibrocartilaginous embolism was reported in several sports associated with minor trauma.Conclusion: Sports-related neurological injuries are increasingly receiving more social and medical attention and are an important cause of morbidity and mortality. This review may serve as a guide to physicians managing these challenging situations.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 14