Cat 3 Medical - Head Injury

[NeckStrain]

Hello,

I submitted my Cat 3 Medical Application which indicated that I suffered a concussion 8 years ago (2009) - Transport Canada replied with a letter asking me to provide information about the head injury. The following is a brief summary of the information I provided:

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1. Admitted to hospital: awake, alert, oriented times three. Pupils equal and reactive, normal extra ocular movements, no facial asymmetry, cranial nerves normal. No sensory or motor findings in extremities. Reflexes 2+ symmetrical. Ambulated well.

2. CT scan showed an undisplaced coronal plane fracture of the right parietal bone extending down to squamosal suture. No skill base fracture is identified. Mastoid and paranasal sinuses are well aerated, orbits are normal, cranocervical junction is intact. Hyperdensity within inferiod aspect of the temporal lobe consistent with multiple tiny foci of parenchymal contusion. There may be a tiny rim of subdural hematoma along the left petrous ridge. Smear subdural hemorrhage noted along the tentorium. Multiple tiny foci of traumatic subdural hemorrhage over bilateral convexities. No hydrocephalus, grey/white matter differentiation maintained throughout.

Discharged after 1 day - diagnosis: concussion - med: tylenol 3 for pain

====== Neurosurgery Followup - 1 month ========

Doing quite well, not complaining of any headaches, not nauseated, on examination pupils were equal and reactive, full extra-ocular movement, no facial asymmetry, no lower cranial nerve findings, upper and lower extremities have normal bulk and strength , gait is normal.

====== Neurosurgery Followup - 1 Year ==========

Doing quite well, no headaches, no problems with grades, no memory or concentration problems. Started playing soccer & road hockey again with no problems in gait or balance. Since doing quite well, does not need to be seen again.

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Anyone with experience with head injury, will this information be satisfactory to Transport Canada to issue the category 3 medical ?

Thank you!

[cncpc]

Does not need to be seen again is likely the end of it, but maybe not.

[NeckStrain]

According to the CAME handbook, I either fit into:

1. Those with PTA lasting 30 minutes or less, who after the event, have a normal neurological examination without sequlae, may be medically certified in three to four months if the CT scan is normal.

or

4. Those with closed head injury with extracerebral haemorrhage, but without dural tear or intracerebral involvement may return to full duties by five years. An EEG and neuroimaging should be undertaken at that time.

It's been 8 years though, and was pretty much back to normal 1 month after the incident as per Neurosurgeon, followup 1 year later same story. No seizures or cognitive issues at anytime.

Does not need to be seen again is likely the end of it, but maybe not.

[LifeAt90Kts]

I've had 2 concussions I was hospitalized for, 1 I lost consciousness in my teenage years (Hockey). When I was going for my Cat 3, all TC cared about was my neurologists word that I didn't have any lasting symptoms. They brought it up again when I went for my Cat 1, but it was really just an extra question to answer. "Any headaches or blurry vision? No? Ok good."

[Bede]

Those findings don't even meet the clinical definition of a mild traumatic brain injury. I've known people with severe TBI's who eventually got medicals.

They may want something from neuro or neurosx.

[NeckStrain]

I was seen by a neurosurgeon 1 month after and followed for 1 year, at the 1 year exam in 2010, she said there's no reason to follow me anymore because there isn't any issue to follow up on as there were no issues arising from the injury. Both of her reports from those visits have been provided to TC! Along with the full chart from my 1 day in hospital detailing all my reactions times, pupil sizes, extremities etc. All perfect scores

They may want something from neuro or neurosx.

[NeckStrain]

Hope you've recovered well from those without any side effects!

Thank you for sharing your experience ! Happy flying!

I've had 2 concussions I was hospitalized for, 1 I lost consciousness in my teenage years (Hockey). When I was going for my Cat 3, all TC cared about was my neurologists word that I didn't have any lasting symptoms. They brought it up again when I went for my Cat 1, but it was really just an extra question to answer. "Any headaches or blurry vision? No? Ok good."

[NeckStrain]

Thank you for easing my worries! My CAME said he's had pilots with severe head injuries from car crashes get a medical, I'm just under a possible time constraint with less flying slots available as summer approaches, so want to make sure I can get TC as much info as they need before they need it.

Those findings don't even meet the clinical definition of a mild traumatic brain injury. I've known people with severe TBI's who eventually got medicals.

They may want something from neuro or neurosx.