Magnetic resonance imaging in boxers with repeated traumatic brain injury.

ABSTRACT

Currently, neuroimaging changes in boxers who have suffered repeated traumatic brain injury (TBI) have not been sufficiently studied and analyzed. To detect such changes, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most informative. AIM: The aim of study was to investigate the features of MRI changes in boxers with repeated TBI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An MRI scan of the brain was carried out on 174 amateur boxers aged 16 to 42 years who had a history of repeated TBI. In the control group, 30 practically healthy people of similar age were examined. Patients were analyzed by gender, age, weight category, number of fights conducted. RESULTS: A significant increase in the width of the lateral ventricles (LV) on both sides, 3rd ventricle and cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) was noted in boxers, among whom men dominated. There was an increase in the width of the LV on both sides, 3rd ventricle and CSP with increasing age, weight category, number of fights. A normal MRI scan of the brain was more common in the younger age group female boxers. There has been an increase in the frequency of expansion of the CSP with increasing age, the number of fights held. There was an increase in the frequency of foci of the modified MRI signal (subcortical, periventricular) with increasing age. Frequency of arachnoid cysts increased with an increase in weight category, and the frequency of diffuse expansion of subarachnoid spaces increased with an increase in the number of fights conducted. CONCLUSIONS: In boxers who had a history of repeated TBI, there are changes according to MRI of the brain from both the cerebrospinal fluid pathways and the brain matter. Studying the features of MRI scans of the boxers will make it possible to predict their competitive activity, timely diagnose brain disorders, carry out the necessary treatment and take preventive measures in order to prevent possible long-term effects of trauma.