Personal Experience Prompts Owner of Upright MRI to Offer Baseline Concussion Testing

The following was submitted by Upright MRI of Deerfield:

Dr. Michael J. Fox, owner of Upright MRI of Deerfield, has done his homework. After researching the middle schools, high schools, and park districts in Highland Park, Glenview, Deerfield and Northbrook, he learned that baseline concussion testing was only offered, recommended or required for those who play tackle football. The test is not part of the protocol for those participating in other sports such as hockey, basketball, lacrosse and soccer. And, in many cases, parents aren’t even aware that such a test exists.

“To be honest, I wasn’t all that surprised by what I learned,” explains Dr. Fox, a Northbrook resident, whose daughter, Kayla, sustained a concussion while playing high school volleyball as a freshman at Glenbrook North High School, and a second one four months later during club volleyball.

“There’s been so much focus regarding football and head injuries, that it made perfect sense for our local youth football programs to offer baseline concussion tests,” he adds. “But, based on my personal experience, and the fact that my daughter missed six weeks of school after a head injury during a volleyball game, I think it’s important that baseline concussion testing be required for kids involved in any sport; not just tackle football.

”To that end, Dr. Fox will be offering baseline concussion testing at Upright MRI in Deerfield on September 10th, 13th, 17th and 20th. Developed by clinical experts in the field, the nationally recognized test, which is called ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) is the most widely-used and most significantly validated computerized evaluation system for concussions.

The ImPACT test is taken on a computer and lasts approximately 20 minutes. It measures multiple aspects of cognitive functioning including verbal and visual memory, processing speed, reaction time, attention span, and non-verbal problem solving.

“If a concussion is suspected, the baseline report will then serve as a comparison to a repeat ImPACT test, which will assess potential damage caused by a concussion,” explains Dr. Fox. “I believe it’s something every young athlete should do.”

Highland Park’s Ilyce Zoloto wishes she had known about the baseline concussion test before her now thirteen year-old son, Zach, began playing travel baseball. Last season, Zach was at the plate, ready to bat, when he was struck in the face by a wild pitch. “It was absolutely terrifying,” says Zoloto. “Thankfully, he wasn’t seriously hurt and recovered to play baseball again, but he did have a concussion, and missed the last four weeks of 6th grade and an entire summer of camp.”

For weeks after the hit, Zach had horrible headaches, complained of dizziness, found it difficult to concentrate, and often needed to rest in a dark quiet room. Because of his ongoing symptoms, Zach’s doctors advised against watching television, reading, or looking at the computer. Physical activity of any kind was off limits, until the headaches subsided.

“It was very obvious to my husband and to me that Zach was having trouble with his concentration and his memory, which lasted for several weeks after being hit with the baseball,” says Zoloto. “Once the doctors gave the okay, he tried to read and do a few math problems, but he wasn’t able to focus like he used to. It was very frustrating for him,” she adds. “Had we done the baseline concussion test, we would have had something to compare it to, and would have known for sure just how much the concussion affected his cognitive skills after he got hit. Thankfully, he’s 100% today,” she says. “I will definitely do the baseline concussion test for my ten year old twins, Jake and Abbie.

Dr. Fox will be offering the ImPACT baseline concussion test, by appointment only, at Upright MRI of Deerfield on Wednesdays, September 10th and 17th (from 4 to 7 pm) and on Saturdays, September 13th and 20th (from 11 am to 3 pm) for kids in grades 5-12. The cost is $20 per person, $10 of which will be donated by Dr. Fox to The Sports Legacy Institute, a Boston University-based group whose mission is to advance the study, treatment, and prevention of the effects of brain trauma in athletes and other at-risk groups. Former Chicago Bears player, Jim McMahon, was recently honored by the Institute for his efforts to raise awareness about the long-term impact of repeated blows to the head.

“The baseline concussion test is so important for any boy or girl playing a contact sport,” says Dr. Fox, whose Upright MRI has scanned hundreds of brains over the years to evaluate persistent or worsening symptoms after a head injury. “Trauma to the head is not limited to tackle football,” he adds. “As seen with my daughter and with Zach Zoloto, concussions can and do happen in a variety of youth sports. My hope is that schools and park districts start offering the baseline test for all their young athletes, not just for those playing football.” To make an appointment for the ImPACT baseline concussion test at Upright MRI of Deerfield (457 Lake Cook Road), please call 847-291-9321.

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Additional Information:

While a CT scan is typically the test of choice immediately following a head injury in order to detect a skull fracture or bleeding and swelling of the brain, it is an MRI that is recommended when the symptoms continue past 48 to 72 hours. “When time is of the essence, a CT scan is a faster test, taking only 5 to 10 minutes, which is one of the reasons it is preferred over an MRI, especially right after the injury occurs,” explains Dr. Fox. “But, an MRI has been found to be superior for detecting traumatic lesions of the brain, as well as delayed or slowly developing bleeds, especially after the acute period,” he adds. “It uses magnetic fields to image the brain’s tissue as opposed to the radiation of the CT scan, which is another benefit.”

Upright MRI of Deerfield, which is completely open and non-claustrophobic, is also 70% quieter than other MRIs, which is especially important for those suffering from headaches and sensitivity to loud noise as a result of a concussion. For more information about Upright MRI of Deerfield, please visitwww.UprightMRIDeerfield.com.