PATTERN OF HEAD INJURIES AMONG VICTIMS OF ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL.

Abstract

Background: Head is the most vulnerable part of the body to be fatally injured in road traffic accidents (RTAs). Majority of the RTA accompanied with head injuries are observed in economically productive young age group comprising 15-45 years. Objective: To study the pattern of head injury in the victims of road traffic accidents, presenting to the Medical College Hospital, Aligarh. Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted in casualty and allied departments of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, Aligarh. All admitted cases of RTA with head injury in the age-group 15-45 years from August 2010 to July 2011 were included in the study using purposive sampling. Data was analyzed in SPSS 17. Results: A total of 463 cases of road traffic accident with head injuries were studied. There was a marked male preponderance 376 (81.2%). The most vulnerable age group was 20-24 years. Two wheeler motorized vehicle users 341 (73.7%) were the most commonly involved victims. Scalp or vault was injured in 457 (98.7%) cases. Most frequent of all scalp injuries was bruise/superficial injury in 358 (77.3%). Brain injury was present in 280 (60.5%) of cases. Intracranial haemmorhage was the most frequent of all types of brain injury noticed in 243 (85.9%). All were more common in two wheelers followed by pedestrians and least common in four wheelers. Among road users, all injuries were more frequent among drivers followed by passengers and pedestrians in decreasing order. Conclusion: Young males driving two wheeler motorized vehicle are at increased risk of RTA leading to head injury.