Magomed Abdusalamov is a professional heavyweight fighter who has reached the highest level of his sport. On Nov. 2, 2013, two hours after a brutal 10-round decision loss at Madison Square Garden, Abdusalamov became comatose and remains hospitalized.
Combat sports include boxing and a variety of mixed martial
arts contests. Points are usually
scored by successfully neurologically impairing an opponent.
Little has been revealed about Abdusalamov’s injuries other
than the fact that he suffered a brain hemorrhage. Based on descriptions, he most likely suffered an epidural
hemorrhage.
An epidural hemorrhage often results from tearing the middle
meningeal arteries after a skull fracture. Blunt trauma is the most common cause as opposed to a
concussion that is usually caused by rapid acceleration and deceleration of the
brain. Headgear is more effective in avoiding skull fractures and hemorrhages
than it is in avoiding concussion.
Epidural hemorrhages are arterial in origin and therefore
occur quickly and with large volumes of blood making them especially serious if
not detected quickly. A typical presentation includes a brief loss of
consciousness followed by a lucid period during which the hemorrhage
expands. This is followed by a
deep coma.
During the lucid period, there are few findings to raise
suspicion of this deadly condition.
Treatment includes removing the blood and part of the skull
to allow the brain to swell without causing deadly levels of pressure within
the closed cranium. Patients are
often placed in a medically-induced coma to slow brain metabolism and control
swelling.
Abdusalamov has now emerged from coma and has hopefully
begun the long process of rehabilitation that includes retraining the brain to
perform basic functions like speaking and eating.
This tragedy serves as a grim reminder that combat sports
are more than the difference between a win or loss but may be life or
death.
