Tip: Try author name, DOI (10.xxxx/…), or keywords.

ISSN (Online): 1694-4674
Annals of Medicine and Medical Sciences
Submit Manuscript
  1. Home
  2. (2026)
  3. Spectrum of Computed Tomographic Findings Among Adults with Traumatic …
Original Article Open Access

Spectrum of Computed Tomographic Findings Among Adults with Traumatic Skull Fractures in Ado-Ekiti

Annals of Medicine and Medical Sciences(2026) April 7, 2026pp. 421 - 426
178 171
Download PDF
Abstract
Background: Traumatic skull fractures are a common consequence of head injury and remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where road traffic accidents are prevalent. Computed tomography (CT) is the imaging modality of choice for evaluating skull fractures and associated intracranial injuries. Objective: To determine the spectrum of CT findings and clinical outcomes among adults with traumatic skull fractures in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study of 117 adult patients with CT-confirmed traumatic skull fractures managed at a tertiary hospital in Ado-Ekiti over a period of 18 months from July 2024 to December 2025. Data were extracted from medical records and radiology reports using a structured proforma. Variables analyzed included socio-demographic characteristics, injury mechanisms, clinical presentation, CT findings, management, and outcomes. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression to identify predictors of poor outcome. Results: The majority of patients were male (70.1%), with a predominance of young adults aged 18-39 years. Road traffic accidents (RTA) were the leading cause of injury (66.7%). Most patients presented with loss of consciousness (72.6%), and nearly half had mild traumatic brain injury (49.6%). CT findings showed that linear skull fractures (42.7%) were the most common, with the parietal bone (27.4%) most frequently involved. The most prevalent intracranial lesions were cerebral contusions (34.2%), brain edema (32.5%), and subdural hematoma (29.9%). Midline shift was observed in 21.4% of cases. Most patients (61.5%) were managed conservatively, while 38.5% underwent surgical intervention. At discharge, 55.5% achieved full recovery, whereas the mortality rate was 8.6%. Significant predictors of poor outcome included severe traumatic brain injury, midline shift, subdural hematoma, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and age ≥ 60 years. Conclusion: Traumatic skull fractures in this setting predominantly affect young males and are mainly due to road traffic accidents. CT imaging reveals a wide spectrum of fracture patterns and intracranial injuries, which significantly influence patient outcomes. Early identification of high-risk features is essential to improve management and reduce mortality.
References
  1. [1] Dewan MC, Rattani A, Gupta S, et al. Estimating the global incidence of traumatic brain injury. J Neurosurg. 2018; 130(43):1-18.
  2. [2] Hyder AA, Wunderlich CA, Puvanachandra P, et al. The impact of traumatic brain injuries: a global perspective. NeuroRehabilitation. 2007; 22(5): 341–53.
  3. [3] Arienta C, Caroli M, Balbi S. Management of depressed skull fractures. J Neurosurg Sci. 1997;41(4):377–80.
  4. [4] Wintermark M, Sanelli PC, Anzai Y, et al. Imaging evidence and recommendations for traumatic brain injury. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2015; 36(2): E1–11.
  5. [5] Maas AIR, Menon DK, Adelson PD, et al. Traumatic brain injury: integrated approaches to improve prevention, clinical care, and research. Lancet Neurol. 2017; 16(12): 987–1048.
  6. [6] World Health Organization. Global status report on road safety 2018. Geneva: WHO; 2018.
  7. [7] Davies Adeloye, Jacqueline Y Thompson, Moses A Akanbi, et al. The burden of road traffic crashes, injuries and deaths in Africa: a systemic review and meta-analysis. Bull World Health Organization. 2016; 94(7):510-521A. doi:10.2471/BLT.15.163121.
  8. [8] Solagberu BA, Ofoegbu CK, Nasir AA, et al. Motorcycle injuries in a developing country and the vulnerability of riders, passengers, and pedestrians. Injury Prevention. 2006; 12: 266-268.
  9. [9] Emejulu JK, Isiguzo GC, Agbasoga CE. Traumatic brain injury in the Accident and Emergency Department of a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria. East and Central African Journal of Surgery. 2010;15(2) :28-38.
  10. [10] Lee B, Newberg A. Neuroimaging in traumatic brain imaging. NeuroRx. 2005;2(2):372–83.
  11. [11] Marshall LF, Marshall SB, Klauber MR, et al. the Diagnosis of Head Injury Requires a Classification Based on Computed Tomography. Prognostic factors in head injury. Journal Neurotrauma. 1992; 9: S287–92.
  12. [12] Adeloye D. Prehospital trauma care systems: Potential role Toward Reducing Morbidities and Mortalities from Road Traffic Injuries in Nigeria in Nigeria. Prehosp Disasater Med. 2012; 27(6) 536-542.
  13. [13] Roozenbeek B, Maas AIR, Menon DK. Changing patterns in TBI epidemiology. Nat Rev Neurol. 2013;9(4):231-6.
  14. [14] Ohaegbulam SC, Mezue WC, Ndubuisi CA, et al. Cranial Computed Tomography scan in head trauma patients in Enugu, Nigeria. Surg Neurol Int. 2011; 2: 182.
  15. [15] Bartłomiej Kulesza, Adam Nogalski, Tomasz Kulesza, Andrzej Prystupa. Prognostic factors in traumatic brain injury and their association with outcome. Journal of Pre-Clinical and Clinical Research. 2015; 9(2): 163-166.
  16. [16] Marmarou A, Lu J, Butcher I, McHugh GS, Murray GD, Steyerberg EW, et al. Prognostic value of the Glasgow Coma Scale and pupil reactivity in traumatic brain injury assessed pre-hospital and on enrollment: an IMPACT analysis. J Neurotrauma. 2007; 24(2): 270-280.
  17. [17] Vittala H et al. A study on pattern of skull fractures due to head injury. Int J Res Med Sci. 2023;11(8):1-4