Prognostic imaging markers for sports-related concussion: a review

As professional sports leagues have begun to recognize the detrimental short- and long-term impact of concussions, understanding the severity of concussions has taken on increasing importance. The ability to understand the microstructural and functional brain pathology of sports-related concussions (SRCs) has improved due to advances in neuroimaging. Advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques can now clearly show brain damage caused by concussions; however, little is known with respect to the link between brain damage and the long-term effects. This overview summarizes the potential association between advanced imaging findings and prognosis of SRCs. We found that diffusion tensor imaging, quantitative susceptibility mapping, neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging, perfusion weighted imaging, near-infrared spectroscopy, positron emission tomography, and functional MRI are promising technologies for providing objective prognostic information in patients with SRCs. Additional research is warranted to investigate the early imaging diagnosis of long-term effects, such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy and post-concussion syndrome.