An Analysis of Aetiology, Pattern and Outcome of Head Injury in Trauma Patients

Background: Head injury is considered as a major health problem in developed and developing nations. Analysis of etiology, patterns, and outcome of head injury in trauma patient is essential for understanding and planning for better management. Materials and Methods: The prospective observational study carried out among patients who presented with head injury at the tertiary care hospital, Mumbai from July 2015 to July 2017. Demographic details recorded were age, sex, blood pressure on arrival, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, the interval between injury and admission, associated injury, co-morbidities, hospital stay, and outcome. Results: The age group at which maximum patients of head injury were admitted was 18-29 years (31%) followed by 40-49 years (21%). Eighty one percent patients were males and 19% patients were females, the male to female ratio being 4:1. Road traffic accidents (36% cases) were the commonest cause leading to acute head injury followed by accidental fall (21% cases). 47% patients presented with mild head injury according to GCS. Conclusion: Head injuries mainly caused by vehicular accidents and affect mainly the young men. Road traffic accidents were the commonest mode of head injury, but railway accident had the worst outcome in our study. Factors associated with outcome were Pre-hospital delay, GCS on arrival, Blood pressure on arrival, Associated injury, Need for ventilator support, CT scan findings.