ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to assess prognostic significance of CT in the outcome of patients of head injury, to evaluate the different traumatic lesions in trauma to the head, correlation between skull fractures and intracranial lesions, and establish that CT has significant role in management of patients with head injury. Methods: The present study was carried out on 100 patients of head injury, referred to the Department of Radiodiagnosis, Civil Hospital, Aizawl. Adults from the age of 18 years onwards, patients with a history of road traffic accident, fall or assault and in-patient cases were included. Pediatric cases, penetrating injuries and out-patient cases were excluded. All these patients were clinically assessed and grouped according to the Glasgow Coma Scale before the procedure was conducted. CT findings were reported directly from the monitor and frequency distribution of craniocerebral lesions, types of fractures, association of fractures with various lesions, comparison of skull fractures with conventional radiographs, density pattern and distribution of lesions noted and correlated with mortality. Results: Oedema and contusions were the two most commonly encountered lesions. Fractures formed the next major group accounting for 81% of lesions. Linear fractures were seen in 64% patients while depressed fractures were seen in 12% patients. Outcome was poor in patients with midline shift more than 5 mm (45% mortality). Conclusions: We concluded that this fast, simple, inexpensive, highly effective and safe imaging modality should be considered the first imaging of choice in acute head injury as it forms the cornerstone for rapid and effective diagnosis.