Fatal head injuries: the Lagos University Teaching Hospital experience (1993-1997)

Head injuries are a universal problem and they constitute a major public health problem both in terms of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to examine the causes and pattern of fatal head injuries in the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). A retrospective autopsy study of fatal head injuries in LUTH between January 1993 and December 1997 was done by retrieving autopsy reports, extracting relevant information and analysing them. Two hundred and fourteen such cases were reviewed (7% of all autopsies during that period). Majority were consequences of road traffic accidents (52%) and assault (12%). Adults between the ages of 21 and 40 years were the most affected (44%), followed by children 10 years and below (17%). Seventy seven percent of all cases were males. Common lesions identified include skull fractures (73%), intracranial haemorrhages (69%), lacerations and contusions (31%).