CT-scan and EEG findings in professional pugilists: early detection of cerebral atrophy in young boxers.

In order to evaluate the possibility of early detection of minimal cerebral damages in the professional boxers, ten young pugilists were submitted to complete neurological examination, EEG recording and CT-scan. Neuroradiological data, electrical patterns and neurological aspects were examined in connection with sporting career of each boxer. Neurological examination was normal in all cases. EEG patterns were considered normal in 3 cases, borderline in 4 cases and pathological in 3 cases. CT-scan was considered normal in 4 cases, borderline in 4 and pathological (showing signs of cerebral atrophy) in 2 cases. A good correlation was found between CT-scan pictures, EEG patterns and sporting career of the boxers: the pugilistis who suffered knockouts had pathological and/or borderline CT-scan and EEGs, while the pugilists who did not experience knockouts during their career showed a normal CT-scan and EEG, independently of the years of activity and number of matches.