Evaluation of the incidence, nature of injury and clinical outcomes of head injuries in North Eastern part of India.

ABSTRACT

Background: Incidence of head injuries/ traumatic brain injuries (TBI) is increasing day by day, and this is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Aims & Objective: To evaluate the incidence, nature of injury and clinical outcomes of head injuries in North eastern part of India. Material and Methods: 1300 patients of head injury were included in the study. On presentation a patient’s clinical status was grossly assessed with the Glasgow Coma Scales (GCS). X-ray cervical spine in suspicious cases and Non contrast computed tomography scan was done of all head injury patients. Results: 21-40 years age group (40.0%) was most commonly affected and most of patients (74%) were male. Road traffic accident (47.07%) was most common cause of head injury followed by fall from height (32%). Overall mortality in total head injury patient was 13%. According to GCS al 368 (43.5%) patients of severe head injury patient expired while mortality in moderate grade injury was 5.6% and 100% of mild head injury patients were saved. A total of 532 (40.92%) patients had skull bone fracture and among bone fracture simple bone fracture was most common. Conclusion: Most of the injuries occur more commonly in certain age groups, at certain localities and mostly in male. So the knowledge about the causes and pattern of head injury may be extremely helpful in making preventive policies.