Role of CT in Evaluation of Traumatic Head Injury

Abstract

Background: Traumatic head injury is major concern in a developing country like India due to high prevalence of RTAs. CT is an accurate imaging modality and has been widely implicated in traumatic head injury. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this research was to study the role of CT in evaluation of traumatic head injury. Subjects and Methods: 50 cases of head trauma presenting to the ER and Radiology department were included in the study. All the patients underwent thorough clinical examination and detailed history and details pertaining to injury were obtained from attendants. All the necessary data was recorded and analyzed. CT scan was performed according to our hospital protocols and standard guidelines. Results: Males constituted for 72% of the total study population, the rest 28% were females. RTA was the most common mode of injury followed by fall and assault. Skull fractures were detected in 50% of the subjects, Contusions in 52%, Edema in 46%, Subdural Hematoma in 20%, Extradural Hematoma in 18%, Intracerebral Hematoma in 18%, Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in 12% and Intraventricular Hemorrhage in 10% of the study population. Mortality was seen in 12% subjects. Conclusion: CT is more sensitive than plain radiographs. CT has shown to detect various lesions in cases of head trauma and should be deployed in evaluation of acute head trauma cases.