Non-Enhanced CT Findings in Head Injured Patients at University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo

Head injury is a global concern because it is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity globally. A study was conducted at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital in Ondo, Nigeria to describe the findings of Computed Tomography in head-injured patients. In total, 230 patients were recruited for this cross-sectional study. The results showed that 86.1% of the patients had abnormal CT findings, whereas 13.9% had normal findings. Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are the leading cause of head injuries, accounting for 46.5% of motorcycle injuries and 34.8% of motor vehicle accidents. The most common CT findings were linear skull fractures (48.3%), parenchymal bleeds (47.4%), and depressed skull fractures (24.7%). The frontal lobe is the most common site of parenchymal bleeding. This study highlights the importance of cranial CT as a diagnostic tool for evaluating head injuries, particularly for detecting skull fractures and parenchymal hematomas. These findings also underscore the need for preventive measures to reduce the incidence of RTAs, which are a major cause of head injuries in Nigeria. The results of this study can inform policy decisions aimed at reducing the burden of head injuries in Nigeria.