CT-scan and EEG in professional boxers. Preliminary data

Ten young boxers were submitted to complete neurological and psychic examinations, EEG recording and CT-scan. Neuroradiological pictures, electrical patterns and neurological aspects were examined in order to establish correlations between them and the sports career of each boxer, considering number of matches, years of activity and number of knock-outs. Neurological examination was normal in all cases. EEG pattern was normal in 3 cases, borderline in 4 and pathological in 3. CT-scan picture was normal in 4 cases, borderline in 4 and pathological in 2. A good correlation was found between CT-scan, EEG and the sports career of the boxers: those who suffered knock-outs had pathological and/or borderline CT-scans and EEGs, while those who did not experience knock-outs during their career showed a normal CT-scan and EEG, regardless of the number of the years of activity and number of matches. These preliminary data suggest the value of the routine use of EEG and CT-scan during medical check-ups of boxers, in order to avoid possible professional risks and to prevent progressive and severe neurological manifestations with irreversible cerebral lesions.