TY - JOUR PY - 2011// TI - An accounting of pathology found on head computed tomography of road traffic accident (RTA) patients in Douala, Cameroon JO - Global journal of health science A1 - Uduma, Uduma Felix A1 - Mathieu, Motah SP - p171 EP - p171 VL - 3 IS - 1 N2 - Background: RTA is a serious concern to many developing countries with its untoward effects on the economy. In many African countries, this is due to recent invasion into transport system by motor cyclists. Objectives: To evaluate head computed tomograms (CT) of RTA patients in Douala in order to account for pathologies. Setting: Polyclinic Bonanjo, Douala, Cameroon is a tertiary care hospital. Methodology: A prospective study of non-contrast head CT of RTA patients from April to November 2009 was done. Results were evaluated with SSPS statistical version. Results: A total of 94 Patients were studied constituting 20.84% of total number of CTs done for whatever reason. Males were more affected than females, 62(65.96%) and 32(34.04%) respectively The highest incidence of 22 cases (23.04%) was found in 50-59 age range with no gender difference. The next in incidence was 30-39 age range but unlike the former, a male to female ratio of 5:1 was observed. Highest percentage of cases (26.59%) had normal brain CT scans. This could be false positive results since CT has a reduced sensitivity in detecting diffuse axonal injury and brain concussion. The commonest observed pathology (19.14%) was brain oedema. Conclusion: RTA in Douala, Cameroon using the percentage of brain computed tomograms as an index is common and needs government's action.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 1916-9736 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/gjhs.v3n1p171 ID - ref1 ER -