Outcome of severe head injury in Relation to basal cisterns on initial CT scan

Open Access

Abstract

Background: Traumatic brain injury is a serious public health issue. This injury is the leading cause of death in younger people especially in developing country. Severe head injury defined as Glasgow coma scale scores of less than 9, have a higher mortality rate and poorer outcome. Young males are the main victims. The purpose of this study was to determine prognostic value of the compressed basal cisterns on initial CT scan. Materials & Methods: Among them 22 patients with compressed basal cisterns considered as Group A and 22 patients with normal basal cisterns considered as Group B. Sample was selected purposively according to selection criteria. A pre-structured data collection sheet was used for recording patient's demographic, clinical and radiological data. Results: Most of the patients belonged to age 21-40 years and majority of the study patients are male. Road traffic accident is the major cause of trauma. Three fourth of the study population's GCS score are in 3-5 group. The most common findings in intracranial haematoma are acute Subdural Haematoma. Unfavorable outcome is seen in patients with compressed basal cisterns in Group A by GOS score. Unfavorable outcome is higher with compressed basal cisterns group in group A. Conclusion: Based on the result of this study Basal cisterns on the initial CT scan is a strong predictor of outcome in severe head injury and compressed basal cisterns are strongly related to unfavorable outcome and death.