Computerised tomographic patterns in patients with head injury at the university of Benin teaching hospital

Head injuries rank high among morbidities due to trauma. Computerised tomography is an important modality in the investigation of these cases. However, literature on this subject in the south-south geopolitical zone of Nigeria is sparse. This study therefore aimed to document the computerized tomographic features of patients with head injury managed at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).

A prospective study involving patients with head injury referred for CT scan from the Accident and Emergency Unit of UBTH over a 12-month period. A total of 100 patients were studied, using non-enhanced cranial CT scans. Findings were recorded and data analysis using SPSS done.

The age group 21-30 years was most frequently involved. Sex preponderance was 4.3:1 (male: female). Twenty-six patients had normal CT scans. The most common abnormal finding was intracerebral hemorrhage 35 cases (33%). This was followed by skull fractures, 23 cases (31%); subdural hemorrhage, 16 cases (21%); cerebral edema, 11 cases (15%). Others included mass effect, nine cases (12%).

CT plays a very significant role in management of head injuries, as demonstrated in this study, by making such diagnoses that guided eventual patient management. Intracerebral hemorrhage was the most common abnormal finding in this report. Regular use of CT in moderate to severe cases of head injury is advocated.