Computed tomography findings in head trauma in Sokoto (North Western Nigeria)

Abstract

This retrospective study was carried out to present the pattern of injuries seen using computed tomography (CT scan) in head injured patients and to highlight the role, played by this modality of investigation in the management of these patients at the department of Radiology, Usman DanFodio University Teaching Hospital{UDUTH}, Sokoto, Nigeria, between September 2000 and September 2002. Positive CT findings were noted in 58 patients (78.38%). Road traffic accident was found to be the most common cause of head injury with the highest incidence in males in the 30 39 year-old age group. However assault, as the aetiology of the head injury had the highest diagnostic yield (100%). Intracranial hemorrhage was the most frequent abnormality noted in 48.65%, followed by skull fracture in 29.73% of the patients. Less frequent findings like arterio venous fistula and intra ocular foreign body were also noted. Computed tomography played a very important role in the management of these patients by providing a non invasive and accurate means of demonstrating both the immediate head injury.

West African Journal of Radiology Vol. 13(1) 2006: 8-13