TY - JOUR PY - 2016// TI - Changing spectrum of traumatic head injuries: Demographics and outcome analysis in a tertiary care referral center JO - JPMA: Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association A1 - Junaid, Muhammad A1 - Afsheen, Afeera A1 - Tahir, Ayesha A1 - Bukhari, Syed Sarmad A1 - Kalsoom, Anisa SP - 864 EP - 868 VL - 66 IS - 7 N2 - OBJECTIVE: To determine the causes, epidemiological characteristics and clinical outcomes related to cases of head trauma.

METHODS: The retrospective study was conducted at Combined Military Hospital, Quetta, and comprised data from September, 2007, to September, 2011. Treatments offered to each patient and their outcomes were recorded. Glasgow coma scale score was noted on admission and Glasgow outcome scale was used to determine the outcome at 6-month follow-up. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS statistics 21.

RESULTS: Of the 1056 patients in the study, 805(76%) were males. Majority of patients 498(47.2%) belonged to 21-40 years age group, with average age of 27±16 years. The most common cause identified were road traffic accidents 461(43.6%), followed by fall injuries 266(25%). Bomb blast injuries were 60(5.6%). The commonest finding on computed tomography scan was contusion in 124(11.7%) patients. Of the total, 709(63.9%) patients were treated conservatively. Major surgical procedure was done in 125 (11.8%) patients. Excellent recovery was seen in 907(85.8%) patients.

CONCLUSIONS: In our environment, risk of head injury is increasing. The government should take measures for the improvement of infrastructure and strict implementation of traffic laws. Trauma centres with trained staff need to be ensured.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0030-9982 UR - http://dx.doi.org/ ID - ref1 ER -