Evaluation of Brain CT Findings in Patients with Head Trauma Visiting Khatam Al-Anbia Hospital in Zahedan in 2022

Abstract

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a leading cause of mortality and long-term disability. This study aims to evaluate brain CT scan findings in patients with head trauma admitted to Khatam al-Anbia Hospital in Zahedan during 2022.
Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study focused on patients presenting with head trauma at Khatam al-Anbia Hospital in Zahedan throughout 2022 who underwent brain CT scans. A census-based sampling method was employed, and data were collected using a structured checklist. The analysis was conducted using SPSS software.
Results: The study included patients with a mean age of 51.78 ± 26.75 years, ranging from 1 to 99 years. Among the 100 participants, 25 (25%) were women and 75 (75%) were men. The highest incidence of TBI was observed in the 70 to 80-year age group, with 15 patients, whereas the lowest incidence was found in the 50 to 60-year and over 90-year age groups, with 6 patients each. Car accidents were identified as the leading cause of head trauma, accounting for 32 cases (32%), followed by physical altercations, which contributed to 10 cases (10%). CT scan results indicated that 10% of the scans were normal, while 90% were abnormal. Notable abnormal findings included subdural hemorrhage (6 cases), frontal bone fractures (16 cases), and cytotoxic edema (6 cases). The most frequent location and type of skull fractures were in the temporal region (8 cases, 29.6%) and

linear fractures (16 cases, 59.3%), respectively. The majority of TBIs were classified as mild (54 cases), with moderate TBIs being the least common (16 cases). Additionally, significant associations were found between injury type, gender, and the nature of the trauma.
Conclusions: This study highlights that road traffic accidents are a predominant cause of traumatic brain injuries, consistent with findings from various studies. The most frequently affected age group was 70 to 80 years, with a predominance of men. Abnormal CT findings commonly included subdural hemorrhage, frontal bone fractures, and cytotoxic edema. These results indicate potential regional differences in TBI patterns and emphasize the importance of targeted diagnostic and treatment strategies. The findings underscore the need for early and precise CT imaging in managing head trauma to improve patient outcomes. Further research is essential to refine management approaches and address regional variations in TBI.