Introduction

Intracranial hematoma is the collection of blood in various intracranial spaces. Knowledge of patterns, origins, causes, and outcomes of ICH conditions is important for decision-making for urgent surgical interventions such as craniotomies and hematoma evacuations.

Results

A total of 91 eligible patients were recruited during the study period, with a mean age of 34 years. The majority of patients were males [73 (80.2%)] and more common in reproductive age groups (62.6%), from rural areas (50.5%). About 93.4% of patients reported a history of trauma, and road traffic accidents & fighting account for 63.8% of the trauma cases. Sixty-five percent of patients arrive in the hospital within 24 hours. Upon presentation, there was loss of consciousness (48.4%), convulsion (11%), aspiration (9.9%), and increased ICP (12%). The majority (49.5%) of the patients had a mild head injury. The focal neurologic deficits were hemiparesis (29.7%) and hemiplegia (5.5%). Acute epidural hematoma (68.1%) was a common finding, followed by sub-acute subdural hematoma. Of the total study participants, 11% had died. All the surviving patients were accessed 30 days after discharge and re-assessed, of which 66 patients had good neurologic recovery (62 upper and 4 lower good recovery), 11 patients had moderate disability (7 lower and 4 upper-moderate disabilities), two patients had a severe disability, and two patients (among those with severe disability) had died. Conclusion Trauma was invariably the cause of intracranial hematoma, and patients with low GCS, papillary abnormalities, aspiration, and increased ICP had an increased risk of dying from their illness. It is good to formulate policies to enhance injury prevention and bring about health-oriented behavioral change.

Conclusion

Trauma was invariably the cause of intracranial hematoma, and patients with low GCS, papillary abnormalities, aspiration, and increased ICP had an increased risk of dying from their illness. It is good to formulate policies to enhance injury prevention and bring about health-oriented behavioral change.

The full text is available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s41984-024-00272-x

Key points about neurotrauma in Ethiopia and sub-Saharan Africa:  

High burden: The incidence of neurotrauma is estimated to be several times higher than in high-income countries, due to factors like:

• Road traffic accidents: A leading cause, often involving motorcycles, pedestrians, and inadequate infrastructure.
• Violence and conflict: Unfortunately common in many regions, leading to gunshot wounds, head injuries, and spinal cord injuries.
• Falls: Especially among children and older adults, due to unsafe environments and a lack of proper care.

Limited resources: Access to quality neurosurgical care is scarce, with a significant shortage of trained personnel, specialized equipment, and rehabilitation facilities. 

Delayed diagnosis and treatment: increase the risk of complications and long-term disabilities.

High mortality rates: particularly for severe injuries due to inadequate medical interventions. Socioeconomic challenges: Families of victims often face financial hardship due to lost productivity, medical bills, and long-term care needs.