Evaluation of the military acute concussion evaluation for use in combat operations more than 12 hours after injury

Rodney L. Coldren, Mark P. Kelly, Robert V. Parish, Michael Dretsch, Michael L. Russell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

76 Scopus citations

Abstract

The diagnosis and management of concussion can be difficult in a combat environment, especially in the absence of loss of consciousness or post-traumatic amnesia. As no validated test exists to diagnose or grade neurocognitive impairment from a concussion, the military currently employs the Military Acute Concussion Evaluation (MACE) in Iraq. This is a two-part test, which incorporates the standardized assessment of concussion (SAC) as its objective score, although it has not been shown to be valid unless administered shortly after injury. A research team deployed to Iraq between January and April 2009 to examine the validity of several tests of neurocognitive function following a concussion, including the MACE. When administered more than 12 hours after the concussive injury, the MACE lacked sufficient sensitivity and specifi city to be clinically useful.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)477-481
Number of pages5
JournalMilitary Medicine
Volume175
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2010
Externally publishedYes

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