The Importance of Evaluating Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Medico-Legal Seminar by Dr. Nasiek

A group of doctors, lawyers, chiropractors, and medical technology industry representatives were invited by Dr. Dariusz Nasiek, Pain Management Specialist, and Dr. Ravi Tikoo MD, Board Certified Neurologist, to discuss the following topics: the importance of evaluating Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS). This topic is so hot that we decided to repeat last month’s presentation and expand on the subject.

The night’s program was opened by Dr. Nasiek who thanked his staff, marketing director Melissa Spethmann, and sponsors of the event REDI DIAGNOSTICS & REDI PHARMACY for all their efforts in making the event possible. Paul Klein who is the Marketing Director for REDI DIAGNOSTICS introduced the owner of the REDI DIAGNOSTICS Mrs. Olga Chepkunov and her husband, the owner of REDI PHARMACY, Mr. Arkady Chepkunov. Olga Chepkunov graciously gave an overview of the services provided by REDI DIAGNOSTICS.

The official presentation was kick started by attorney Camilla Morch, from the Law Offices of Camilla T. Morch, who gave a broad presentation about the state of medical recovery and arbitration. She indicated in her presentation that, although very difficult, it is possible to convert a $15k policy into a full $250k policy if properly documented for the treatment of brain and spinal cord injury.

During the official presentation, Dr. Nasiek presented on topics related to TBI and revealed the silent TBI epidemic, with 1.4 million TBI cases per year in the US. This number of cases was subsequently challenged by the next speaker, Dr. Tikoo, who indicated that according to his sources the number of TBI cases is in excess of 3 million per year. This discrepancy is related to the difficulty of diagnosis, with 56% of mild TBI cases going undiagnosed in ER departments throughout the US.

Serious consequences and injury permanency are a reality for TBI patients, who suffer a 2-4 fold increase in dementia and Parkinson disease and a life span decrease of 2 years. Thankfully there is a new method of diagnosing the serious complications of TBI using EEG and Tele EEG.

While TBI is a serious and permanent injury of the brain, it is both difficult to diagnose and to prove. TBI may lead to the formation of scar tissue in the brain and other serious pathologies, however detection of either is difficult. While the gold standard of detection is usually brain biopsy, this method is too invasive to have a place in routine evaluation. EEG, which is more accessible and widely used, may miss 90% of seizure generating scar tissue, unless performed over a long duration during sleep. Fortunately, Tele EEG makes overnight and long-term monitoring possible, which enables detection of post-TBI seizures.

New Tele EEG technology has been developed and can be performed over a prolonged period of more than 3 days. It is the most sensitive tool so far to prove focal seizure activity resulting from TBI.

Although medical benefits regarding any brain and spinal cord injury in the state on NJ remain at the level of $250k, even a $15k policy will allow for such diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in the treatment of such injuries.

After these presentations, Dr. Nasiek and Melissa Spethmann, the marketing and events coordinator, raffled off two gift certificates.

As usual, great food and even better conversation was had, all while new knowledge was spread.

The next meeting is expected to be held on June 10th, from 7-9 PM at the same place. We are extending an invitation to all our friends, contributors, and professional family to participate in our future events.

When calling this company, please reference POLISH AMERICAN PAGES.

Dariusz Nasiek, MD
Board Certified
Anesthesiologist
Pain Specialist