An epidemiological study of fatal head injury cases in a sub urban region of Chennai: A prospective study of 350 autopsy cases

Abstract

It is a prospective study of 350 fatal head injury cases brought during the study period extending from Jan’2016 to Dec’2017 admitted and treated in our tertiary health care center. The incidence of fatal head injury is growing with increasing number of high speed vehicle, more mobility of the public and urbanization. In short, it is the single most common cause of morbidity and mortality in emergency wards. Maximum cases were seen in the age range of 21-30yrs, 89 cases (25.42%). Maximum cases were seen amongst males, 281 cases, 80%. The commonest causes of fatal head injuries are Road Traffic Accident (RTA) cases. Other important causes of fatal head injuries are fall from height, assault & railway accidents. External head injuries were mainly seen on frontal and parietal regions. Amongst the scalp injuries lacerations were very common seen in 149 cases, 35.90%. Skull bone fractures were frequently seen in fatal head injury cases. Presence of skull bone fractures are associated more frequently with fatal complications. Though linear fractures are common in general we observed the comminuted fractures as the commonest type of skull fractures in fatal head injury cases, seen in 77 cases, (57.03%). Depressed fractures were less common in fatal cases. Involvement of cranial fssa was seen in 113 cases. Linear type of fractures both transverse and horizontal type was more common seen in 71 coases amongst the 113 cases of cranial fossa involvement i.e. 62.83%. Involvement of middle cranial fossa was high seen in 47 cases of the 113 cases i.e. (41.59%). Presence of comminuted skull bone fractures is associated with higher rate of mortality.