Cranial Computed Tomographic Findings in Head‑Injured Patients during Communal/ Ethno‑Religious Crises: Jos Experience
Article Sidebar
Views | PDF/EPUB Downloads:
16
/ 2
/ 2
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Communal/ethno‑religious crises have been on the increase in many parts of the world with attendant morbidity
and mortality. Assailants often target the head of their victim, intent on causing mortal harm. Computed Tomography is effective in
demonstrating soft tissue and bony injuries. Our experience in North Central Nigeria underscores the relevance of documentation of
imaging findings on patients who presented following such crises.
Objective: To profile the findings on cranial Computed Tomography scan of patients with head injury during communal /ethno‑religious crisis in North Central Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: Retrospective and prospective evaluation of cranial Computed Tomography scans conducted on 43 victims of communal/ethno‑religious crisis between January 2010 and March 2012 was carried out in the Computed Tomography suite of the Radiology Department in a tertiary hospital in North Central Nigeria.
Results: Of the 43 patients, 37 were male and 6 were female (male: female ratio of 6:1). The ages of the patients ranged from <1 year to 80 years. The mean age of the patients was 36.7 years (±14.7). Abnormal findings were seen in 37 patients (86.1%) while 6 patients (13.9%) had normal scans. The most common Computed Tomography scan findings were intra‑cerebral contusion (51.1%), skull fracture (48.8%), and subdural hematoma (23.2%). Head injury was inflicted mostly with machete cut.
Conclusion: Inevitable head trauma during communal/ethno‑religious crisis justifies the use of Computed Tomography scan in investigating the nature of head injury in affected victims as well as provides an invaluable guide for their prompt management.
Downloads
Article Details
Section
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
This is an open access journal, and articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 License, which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as appropriate credit is given and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms.
How to Cite
References
1. Kim JJ, Gean AD. Imaging for the diagnosis and management of traumatic brain injury. Neurotherapeutics 2011;8:39‑53.
2. Mogoseanu M, Pascut M, Barsateanu F, Motoi S, Tutelca A, Vesa AM, Socoliuc C. Computed tomography Vs magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of head injuries. Timisoara Med J 2003;3:234‑40.
3. Kelly AB, Zimmerman RD, Snow RB, Gandy SE, Heier LA, Deck MD. Head trauma: Comparison of MR and CT‑ experience in 100 patients. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 1988;9:699‑708.
4. Eze KC, Mazeli FO. Computed tomography of patients with head trauma following road traffic accident in Benin City, Nigeria. West Afr J Med 2011:30;404‑7.
5. Abiodun A, Atinuke A, Yvonne O. Computerized tomography assessment of cranial and mid‑facial fractures in patients following road traffic accident in South‑West Nigeria. Ann Afr Med 2012;11;131‑8.
6. Obajimi MO, Shokunbi MT, Malomo AA, Agunloye AM. Computed tomography (CT) in civilian gunshot head injuries in Ibadan. West Afr J Med 2004:23;58‑61.
7. Bharti P, Nagar A.M., Tyagi U. Pattern of trauma in western Uttar Pradesh. Neurol India 1993;42:49‑50.
8. Ohaegbulam SC, Mezue WC, Ndubuisi CA, Erechukwu UA, Ani CO. Cranial computed tomography scan findings in head trauma patients in Enugu, Nigeria. Surg Neurol Int 2011;2:182
9. Ghebrehiwet M, Quan LH, Andebirhan T. The profile of CT scan findings in acute head trauma in Orotta Hospital, Asmara, Eritrea. J Eriterean Med Assoc 2009;4:5‑8.
10. Chattopadhyay S, Tripathi C. Skull fracture and hemorrhagic pattern among fatal and non fatal injury assault victims‑ a critical analysis. J Inj Violence Res 2010;2:99‑103.
11. Steuhmer C, Blum KS, Kokemueller H, Tarrasol F, Bormam KH, Gellrich NC, et al. Influence of different types of guns, projectiles and propellants on patterns of injury to the viscerocranium. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2009;67:775‑81.
12. Macpherson BC, MacPherson P, Jennett B. CT evidence of intracranial contusion and haematoma in relation to the presence, site and type of skull fracture. Clin Radiol 1990;42:321‑6.
13. Harbury OL, Provenzale JM, Barboriak DP. Vertex epidural hematomas: Imaging findings and diagnostic pitfalls. Eur J Radiol 2000;36:150‑7.
14. McDonald DK, Naul LG, Levy LM. Imaging in epidural hematoma. emedicine.medscape.com/article/340527‑overview [Last accessed on 2014 Jan 2].