Pattern of spinal cord injury in Maiduguri, North Eastern Nigeria

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is often associated with lifetime morbidity. There is no data on this injury from this Sub-region. The study examines the pattern of SCI in Maiduguri and its environs with a view to contribute to the emerging national data on the rising incidence of this injury and to highlight the deficiencies in our set up and suggest ways of improving them.

The case notes of SCI patients managed at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital between 1998 and 2002 were retrospectively analyzed.

There were 36 patients, 30 males and 6 females (ratio 5:1) with age range of 13-55 years (mean 34.3 +/- 3 years). Road traffic accident (RTA) accounted for 22 (61.1%), while falls resulted in 9 (25%) of the injuries. The most frequent levels of injury were cervical region 14 (38.9%) and thoracolumbar 10 (27.8%). The commonest complications encountered were urinary tract infections (UTI) and bedsores. All the deaths, 3 (8.3%), occurred in patients with complete cervical spine lesion.

The high morbidity associated with SCI could be reduced through public enlightment on road safety measures including use of seat belts, prohibition of carrying goods and passengers together in trucks. and establishment of Spinal Centres equipped to function.