Prevalence, etiology and computed tomography finding in patients with traumatic brain injury at Mulago National Referral Hospital: A cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) refers to brain damage following trauma to the head. It is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. The incidence of TBI is a growing burden due to increasing number of high-speed motor vehicle, more movement of the public and increasing industrial activities. Globally TBI incidence is approximated at 27 million per year, with high prevalence in developing counties. In developing countries, the incidence is approximated to be 3.2 million per year, with a 3.5-fold increase in Sub Saharan Africa, estimated to be 14 million per year by 2050. Uganda as part of sub-Sahara Africa is not excluded in the TBI burden growth. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, etiologies and computed tomography findings in patients with traumatic brain injury at MNRH. Methodology: We conducted a hospital based cross-sectional study on traumatic brain injury patients for one month to determine the prevalence, etiology and Computed tomography findings. Patient’s data collected included demographic data, etiology and CT-findings. Data collected were exported to STATA 18 for analysis. Results: There were 419 TBI patients out of 822 trauma patients giving a prevalence of 50.97%. Males accounted for 75.3% of the 370 head trauma cases with an approximate male to female ratio of 5.2:1. The mean age of the patients 33.21 years with a standard deviation of 11.88 years. RTA was the most common etiologic factor accounting for 245, (66.67%) of cases. There was 1 case due to industrial injury in the study population. Abnormal CT findings were present in (90.68%) of cases. Skull fracture was demonstrated in (29.19%) patients and was the most common finding. Extraaxial bleeds were present in (30.46%) and the incidence of contusion was also high (24.64%). Conclusion: MNRH has a high prevalence traumatic brain injury with young males disproportionately affected. Road traffic accident was the most common cause and skull fracture was the commonest findings on CT followed by contusion.