Computed tomographic imaging appraisal of traumatic brain injury in a tertiary hospital in South-South Nigeria: A 6-year review

Abstract

Background: Computed tomography (CT) remains the gold standard in imaging evaluations of traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI on its own has become a major concern in developing countries with its untoward effects. Objectives: The objective was to appraise the craniocerebral computed tomograms of patients who had TBIs. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of patients who underwent craniocerebral CT on account of head injury in the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria, from November 13, 2013 to May 31, 2019 was done. The duration was regardless of the disjointed periods of service interruption. Patients' demographic and CT features were evaluated with application of simple analysis of data. Results: Two hundred and thirty-two patients were evaluated with minimum and maximum ages of 6 months and 78 years, respectively. Males were predominant with a ratio of 2.74: 1. Most affected age ranges were 30–39 years (23.27%) and 20–29 (22.84%). Normal brain CT was seen in 44 patients (18.97%). The most frequent lesion in patients with abnormal CT was intracranial hemorrhages (n = 188, 81.03%). Here, extra-axial hemorrhages (n = 100, 53.19%) supersede intracerebral hemorrhages (n = 88, 46.81%). Half of the intracerebral hemorrhages were multiple. Calvarial fractures were seen in 34.48% (n = 80) of patients. The most common localization was the facial bones (n = 24, 30.00%), whereas the least site was the occipital bone (n = 4, 5.00%). Fifteen percent of the patients had multiple fractures which also included base of the skull. Conclusion: TBIs commonly occur among young active males. The most frequent lesion is intracranial hemorrhages with extra-axial bias.