Pattern of brain computed tomography findings of adult patients with head injury at Oghara, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: The objective of this study was to describe the pattern of computed tomography (CT) findings of adult patients with head injury referred for cranial CT scan at the Radiology Department of Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara, Delta state.

Materials and methods: A retrospective record review of one hundred and ninety-two adult head injured patients referred to the Radiology department for brain CT over a 3-year period was done. The patients were scanned using Toshiba Aquilion 64 slice spiral CT scan machine, data was collected using a proforma and subsequently analysed using the IBM SPSS version 20 statistical software.

Results: Road traffic accident constituted 61% of the causes of head injury. The age range of the patients was 18-97 years with a mean of 40.6 ± 16.8 years, while the modal age group was the 18-37 years. Males comprised 75% and females 25% of the patients. Abnormal findings were seen in 65.6% of the brain CT scans done. Brain contusion was the most frequent abnormal CT imaging finding seen in 19.5% of patients, closely followed by intracranial haematoma (19.2%) and skull fractures (14.9%).

Conclusion: Brain contusions, intracranial haematoma and skull fractures were the most common abnormal intracranial findings of the head injured patients. The CT played an important role in the diagnosis and management of the respondents, hence the provision of CT scanners in tertiary health institutions in developing countries is re-emphasised.

Keywords: head injury, road traffic accident, CT scans