Pattern of head injuries in Malta (EU): a small Mediterranean island

Br J Neurosurg. 2012 Apr;26(2):212-5. doi: 10.3109/02688697.2011.609920. Epub 2011 Nov 11.

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.

MeSH terms

  • Accidental Falls / statistics & numerical data
  • Accidents, Traffic / statistics & numerical data
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / epidemiology*
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / mortality
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / surgery
  • Emergency Service, Hospital / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Hematoma, Subdural, Acute / diagnostic imaging
  • Hematoma, Subdural, Acute / epidemiology
  • Hematoma, Subdural, Acute / surgery
  • Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic / diagnostic imaging
  • Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic / epidemiology
  • Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic / surgery
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Malta / epidemiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Young Adult