Post-traumatic intracranial hematomas at Kinshasa University Hospital/ Democratic Republic of Congo: socio-demographic, radio-clinical aspects and post-therapeutic evolution

Abstract

Context and objective. Brain trauma is the first cause of death among young people and a quarter of victims develop an intracranial hematoma. The objective was to describe the socio-demographic, radiological, clinical and post-therapeutical aspects of patients treated for post-traumatic intracranial hematomas at Kinshasa University Hospital.

Methods. This was an analytical series of traumatized patients with intracranial hematomas, followed at the Kinshasa University hospital from January 1999 to December 2019. Variables of interest included clinical, therapeutic, and post-therapeutic outcomes. The Pearson Chi-square test was used to compare proportions. 

Results. In a total of 269 patients, Subdural Hematoma predominated at 54.3%. Road accidents accounted for 57.6% of the etiologies. The median age was 37.3 years with male predominance. Among patients admitted for Extradural Hematoma, 27 (28.4 %) consulted beyond 24 hours. Intracranial hypertension signs were present in 57.5% of cases. The operating time was less than 24h for 12.4% of patients. Mortality was 10% and full recovery represents 61.3%. The adverse factors were age >60 years, mydriasis, polytrauma, Glasgow Coma Score ≤ 8.

Conclusion. Post-traumatic intracranial hematomas are common in our environment. The admission period remains relatively long but the majority of patients fully recover.

Received: January 1^st, 2024

Accepted: October 10^th, 2024

https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/aamed.v18i1.6