The Spectrum of Radiological Findings in Patients Presenting with Different Clinical Indications for Cranial Computed Tomographic Scan. | [Pakistan Armed Forces Medical Journal • 2019]

Author(s):

1. Hussain Rashid Ihsan: Pakistan Naval Ship (PNS) Shifa Karachi Pakistan

2. Salman Ahmad: Combined Military Hospital Quetta/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Pakistan

3. Saeed Bin Ayaz: Combined Military Hospital Quetta/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Pakistan

Abstract:

Objectives: To identify the main reasons for seeking computed tomography (CT) scan evaluation and primary brain and skull pathologies seen on CT scan and to determine the percentage of negative and positive CT scans for a particular referring reason and correlate the commonest reason for seeking CT scan evaluation with age and gender. Study Design: A cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Radiology, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zaid Al Nahyan Hospital Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, from Jan to Sep 2016. Material and Methods: Through consecutive sampling, we included 137 patients referred for radiological evaluation of skull and brain through CT scan. The study was performed by a senior CT scan technologist using CT scan machine Brilliance CT 16 slice - DS, taking 0.5 mm slices in all patients and reviewed by a consultant radiologist. The sample was divided into two age-groups i.e. age =36 years and age >36 years. The data were analysed using statistical program Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0. Results: Out of 137 individuals, (mean age: 34 ± 23 years), 86 (62.8%) were male and 51 (37.2) were female. The majority (61.3%, n=84) of the individuals were referred for complaint of head trauma. The head trauma was significantly more common in age group of =36 years (p<0.001) and males were more involved in head trauma than females (male-to-female ratio of 2:1, odds ratio: 1.53, confidence interval: 0.76-3.11). On CT scan evaluation, 19.7% (n=27) had a normal study while 80.3% (n=110) had at least one abnormal finding. Fracture of the skull bones (with or without other abnormalities) was the commonest abnormality found in 46.4% (n=51) patients. Higher percentage of positive CT scan was found in patients with all sorts of presenting complaints. Conclusion: The majority were referred for cranial CT scan evaluation for the complaints of head trauma. Fracture of the skull bones was the commonest finding. Head trauma was significantly more common in agegroup of =36 years and males were more commonly involved than females. Higher percentage of positive CT scan was found in patients with all sorts of presenting complaints.

Page(s): 170-174

DOI: DOI not available

Published: Journal: Pakistan Armed Forces Medical Journal, Volume: 69, Issue: 1, Year: 2019

Keywords:

Brain pathologies , Skull pathologies , Computed tomography scan

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