TITLE:
Fatal Cranio-Encephalic Trauma in Bujumbura: Epidemiological, Clinical and Computed Tomography Aspects
AUTHORS:
Sébastien Manirakiza, Jean Marie Banziriyubusa, Stany Harakandi, Patrice Barasukana, Daniel Nduwayo, Jean Bosco Bizimana, Léopold Nzisabira
KEYWORDS:
Computed Tomography, Head Trauma, Mortality
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Medical Imaging,
Vol.14 No.4,
December
20,
2024
ABSTRACT: Background: Traumatic brain injuries are a major cause of death and mortality in young adults. Computed tomography allows for a lesion assessment to establish the prognosis in case of good management. This study aims to elucidate the epidemiological, clinical, and computed tomographic characteristics of patients who succumbed to traumatic brain injuries. Patients and method: This retrospective descriptive study was conducted over a 16-month period from August 2021 to December 2022 at the Teaching Hospital of Kamenge, Kamenge Military Hospital, Kira Hospital and Tanganyika Care Polyclinic. We included patients who died because of cranioencephalic trauma, regardless of whether they underwent a CT scan. A total of 58 patients met our inclusion criteria. The parameters analyzed included epidemiological data, clinical characteristics, and cranioencephalic CT findings. Results: During the study period, 266 patients were admitted to intensive care with traumatic brain injuries. Among these, 63 patients (27.87%) died. The mean age of the patients was 37.36 years (± 16.33), with men comprising 89.66% of the cases. Road traffic accidents accounted for 46 cases (79.31%). Upon admission to intensive care, 39 patients (67.24%) exhibited impaired consciousness, unilateral mydriasis was observed in 26 patients (44.83%), and intracranial hypertension was noted in 20 patients (34.48%). The Glasgow Coma Scale score was recorded for 40 patients (68.9%), of whom 37 (92.5%) had a score of 8 or lower, with a mean score of 6.15 (± 2.14). CT scans were prescribed for 57 patients (98.28%), with 33 patients (57.89%) undergoing the procedure. Skull fractures were identified in 20 patients (60.61%), while brain lesions were present in all 33 patients, predominantly located in the left hemisphere (51.51%) and primarily affecting the frontal lobe (51.51%). Hemorrhagic contusions were noted in 26 patients (78.78%). Notably, 70.69% of deaths occurred within three days of hospitalization. Conclusion: Cranioencephalic trauma primarily affects young males. CT scans provide a comprehensive assessment of these injuries. Most fatalities occur within the first 72 hours of hospitalization.