Pattern of Computed Tomography (CT) Findings in Traumatic Head Injury at a Tertiary Health Care Center, Birgunj

Abstract

Introduction: Head injuries, especially traumatic brain injury (TBI), represent a global health concern due to their significant physical, cognitive, and societal impacts. This study assesses the prevalence, imaging patterns, and diagnostic role of computed tomography (CT) in craniocerebral trauma.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2022 to March 2023 at the Department of Radio-diagnosis, NMCTH, Birgunj, Nepal. A total of 85 patients with craniocerebral trauma were included after ethical approval. Patients of all ages and genders were studied, excluding those with hypertension, diabetes, cerebrovascular accidents, bleeding disorders, or anticoagulant therapy. CT imaging was performed using the AQUILION PRIME SP 160-Slice CT machine,
and data on demographics, injury mechanisms, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, and imaging findings were analyzed statistically.

Results: A total of 85 patients with head injuries, 72.9% were male, and 27.1% were female, with the highest incidence in the 31-50 age group (40%). Road traffic accidents (RTAs) were the leading cause (64.5%), followed by falls (20%) and physical assaults (16.5%). Common clinical manifestations included loss of consciousness (58.8%) and vomiting (45.9%). CT revealed
abnormalities in 69.4% of cases, with skull fractures (49.4%) and epidural hematomas (41.2%) being the most common findings. Severe injuries had a mortality rate of 57.1%, predominantly due to RTAs.

Conclusions: CT is a vital diagnostic and prognostic tool for assessing head injuries, guiding treatment, and improving outcomes, particularly in severe cases with poor prognostic indicators.