They are well capable of interpreting exactly the same brain MRI image and symptoms very differently and offering varying diagnosis. Consensus is elusive.
As one told me: “What we can see (with an MRI) is not always what you get (symptoms) and what you get is not always what we can see.” i.e. one set of MRI scans can strongly indicate brain deficit or damage, but you won’t necessarily be presenting those symptoms but, conversely, you can have textbook symptoms, but the MRI scan does not back it up.
Another neurologist informed me that in many ways the brain remains a mystery and that medical science has only got a name for probably 5 percent of brain conditions and malfunctions. The other 95 percent are real, often life-changing, and even life-threatening, but they aren’t yet properly identified and understood.
And, finally, I also recall possibly the most noted brain surgeon of them all – the brilliant Henry Marsh – writing how he didn’t relish viewing an MRI of his own brain in his early 70s. It would undoubtedly be shrunken, misshapen, and almost certainly scarred – even though it is manifestly still working because he remains one of the most lucid talkers and eloquent writers on the planet.
All this is by way of preamble and as rugby enters the doomsday scenario it has long feared – the start of litigation between a group of the 200-plus former players and the RFU and WRU seeking compensation over brain damage and associated neurological issues allegedly incurred as a result of their playing rugby. Who knows how this will pan out but let’s try and identify the key areas.
Esta historia es de la edición November 26, 2023 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición November 26, 2023 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.