Transcranial Doppler (TCD): Role for Patients After Concussion

Abstract

Points 1. Reproducibility and non-invasive testing capabilities of TCD support studies for its use as a diagnostic tool for mild TBI and marker for recovery. 2. TCD criteria for cerebral blood flow velocity and pulsatility index might allow for the differentiation of patients who may undergo secondary neurologic deterioration after acute mTBI and allow physicians better define management strategies. 3. Current results support the use of TCD measured cerebrovascular reactivity as a non-expensive and easy implemented research tool for identifying altered neurophysiology and monitoring recovery in long-term effects of mTBI. 4. In patients after mTBI TCD testing of cerebral hemodynamics may reveal earlier signs of intracranial stenosis that could lead to treatment of post-concussive symptoms. 5. TCD as a non-invasive and simple procedure must be engaged in the management of mTBI patients and must be utilized as a quantitative screening test to detect cerebrovascular disease presence.