Computed Tomography Findings of Patients Presenting With Headache: 4-Year Retrospective Two-Center Study in Central and Western Regions of Ghana.

in BioMed research international by Bashiru Babatunde Jimah, Benjamin Dabo Sarkodie, Asare Kwaku Offei, Ewurama Andam Idun, Dorothea Anim, Edmund Brakohiapa, Benard Ohene Botwe

TLDR

  • This study looked at CT scans of people's heads who came to the hospital with headaches as their main problem. The study found that nearly 50% of these people had abnormalities on their CT scans. The most common abnormalities were sinus infections, brain tumors, and bleeding in the brain. The study also found that these abnormalities were more likely to happen in older people and women. The study suggests that doctors should use CT scans more often to help diagnose headaches and other head-related problems.

Abstract

The radiographic assessment of the head is a crucial part of headache care. A computed tomography (CT) scan enables a more detailed analysis of the condition and more focused care. This study examined head CT scans to determine what kinds of anomalies were present in patients with headaches as their primary complaint.We evaluated 4 years' worth of CT scan data from head exams conducted at two diagnostic facilities in Ghana's western and central regions. We examined data on 477 patients with a headache as their primary complaint between January 2017 and December 2020. We employed chi-square and Fisher's exact tests (where applicable) to compare head CT diagnoses between age groups, gender, headache subtypes, and brain lesion subgroups.There were 53.5% (= 255) females and 46.5% (= 222) males in the study. The average age of patients was 38.67 ± 17.23 years, with an annual rate of abnormal CT diagnoses ranging from 35.9% in 2017 to 45.4% in 2022. Abnormal head CT diagnoses are strongly correlated with age groups and patient gender (= 0.011 and= 0.009, respectively). Of the 202 patients, 15.3% and 24.3% were classified as intracranial lesions and extracranial lesions, respectively. Maxillary sinusitis affected nearly 60% of the patients, while tumors and hemorrhages affected 25.2% and 11.9%, respectively.A CT scan of the head is essential to detect abnormalities in nearly 50% of patients suffering from various degrees of headache. Sinusitis, brain tumors, and hemorrhage were common lesions detected. It is crucial to create local standard operating procedures to promote better utilization of this type of imaging service, particularly among patients who have been diagnosed with headaches.

Overview

  • The study evaluated 4 years' worth of CT scan data from head exams conducted at two diagnostic facilities in Ghana's western and central regions. The study aimed to determine what kinds of anomalies were present in patients with headaches as their primary complaint. The methodology used for the experiment included chi-square and Fisher's exact tests to compare head CT diagnoses between age groups, gender, headache subtypes, and brain lesion subgroups. The primary objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of abnormal head CT diagnoses and the most common lesions detected in patients with headaches as their primary complaint. The study found that abnormal head CT diagnoses were strongly correlated with age groups and patient gender. Of the 202 patients, 15.3% and 24.3% were classified as intracranial lesions and extracranial lesions, respectively. Maxillary sinusitis affected nearly 60% of the patients, while tumors and hemorrhages affected 25.2% and 11.9%, respectively. The study highlights the importance of a CT scan of the head in detecting abnormalities in nearly 50% of patients suffering from various degrees of headache. Sinusitis, brain tumors, and hemorrhage were common lesions detected. The study suggests that creating local standard operating procedures to promote better utilization of this type of imaging service, particularly among patients who have been diagnosed with headaches.

Comparative Analysis & Findings

  • The study compared the outcomes observed under different experimental conditions or interventions detailed in the study. The study found that abnormal head CT diagnoses were strongly correlated with age groups and patient gender. Of the 202 patients, 15.3% and 24.3% were classified as intracranial lesions and extracranial lesions, respectively. Maxillary sinusitis affected nearly 60% of the patients, while tumors and hemorrhages affected 25.2% and 11.9%, respectively. The study highlights the importance of a CT scan of the head in detecting abnormalities in nearly 50% of patients suffering from various degrees of headache. Sinusitis, brain tumors, and hemorrhage were common lesions detected. The study suggests that creating local standard operating procedures to promote better utilization of this type of imaging service, particularly among patients who have been diagnosed with headaches.

Implications and Future Directions

  • The study's findings suggest that a CT scan of the head is essential to detect abnormalities in nearly 50% of patients suffering from various degrees of headache. The study highlights the importance of creating local standard operating procedures to promote better utilization of this type of imaging service, particularly among patients who have been diagnosed with headaches. The study also suggests that further research is needed to determine the most effective imaging techniques for detecting headache-related anomalies. The study's findings can be used to inform clinical practice and improve patient outcomes.
Read Full Article