Second Impact Syndrome

Overview

Journal West J Emerg Med

Specialty Emergency Medicine

Date 2009 Jun 30

PMID 19561758

Citations 31

Authors

Tareg Bey

Brian Ostick

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

A controversial term first described by Saunders and Harbaugh1 in 1984, Second Impact Syndrome (SIS) consists of two events. Typically, it involves an athlete suffering post-concussive symptoms following a head injury.2 If, within several weeks, the athlete returns to play and sustains a second head injury, diffuse cerebral swelling, brain herniation, and death can occur. SIS can occur with any two events involving head trauma. While rare, it is devastating in that young, healthy patients may die within a few minutes. Emergency physicians should be aware of this syndrome and counsel patients and their parents concerning when to allow an athlete to return to play. Furthermore, we present guidelines for appropriate follow up and evaluation by a specialist when necessary.

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