DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2021.v09i10.016

Pages: 1569-1573

Goal: We initiated this work with the aim of evaluating the cost and benefit of computed tomography in the management of craniocerebral trauma. Patients and Methods: This was a prospective study of 340 head trauma patients who underwent a brain scan at Luxembourg Hospital during the study period from April 1 to December 1, 2019. Result: During this study we collected 340 cases of cerebral CT scans for cranio-encephalic trauma, ie 10.36%. The average age of our patients was 22.14 years. Male dominated the study with a sex ratio of 2H / 1F. Pupils and students were the most affected socio-professional layer, ie 44.4% of cases. The most frequent aetiology was road accidents, ie 83.8% of cases. The symptoms that prompted the request for the CT scan were dominated by headache, ie 93.2% of cases. The time to complete the CT scan was between the 2nd and 6th hour after their admission to the ward. The cost of the brain scan of these patients amounted to 15, 300,000 FCFA (45,000F per person). On CT, a predominance of bone fractures was noted, ie 37.6% of cases. Intracerebral lesions were dominated by edema-hemorrhagic contusions (6.5%). Conclusion: The CT scan is the primary examination of an emergency head trauma patient. It provides a better understanding of the different types of cranio-encephalic injuries of traumatic origin, their topography and their importance. But the high cost of the scanner in our health facilities and the lack of an emergency aid service are factors that delay the urgent care of trauma patients.