Citation

Agius S, Ansari S, Zrinzo A. Br. J. Neurosurg. 2011; 26(2): 212-215.

Affiliation

Neurosurgery Unit, Mater Dei University Hospital , Msida , Malta.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.3109/02688697.2011.609920

PMID

22077589

Abstract

We have reviewed all acute neurosurgical admissions between December 2007 and December 2009. Hundred and nine (46.6%) of our admissions were head injuries. A subdural haematoma(SDH) was found in 51.4%(56) of the head injuries. Of these, 50/56 presented with a Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS) of 14 to 15, 41.1% (23) of these SDH needed surgery. The commonest mode of injury was falls [67.9%(74) of head injuries]. Risk factors for falls are co-morbidities which are particular to an elderly population, these include osteoarthritis and audio/ visual impairment. Falls are more common in rural areas where elderly are more likely to feel comfortable to walk and sustain trivial falls resulting in chronic subdural heamatomas.

Language: en