Original Article
Spinal Cord (2009) 47, 134–137; doi:10.1038/sc.2008.93; published online 5 August 2008
Profile of spinal injuries in Lagos, Nigeria
D C Obalum1, S O Giwa1, T O Adekoya-Cole1 and G O Enweluzo1
1Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL)/Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos, Nigeria
Correspondence: Dr DC Obalum, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Lagos/Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-araba, Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria. E-mail: obalum1@yahoo.com
Received 21 April 2008; Revised 25 June 2008; Accepted 6 July 2008; Published online 5 August 2008.
Abstract
Study design:
Retrospective study.
Objective:
To describe the pattern and outcome of spinal cord injuries in Lagos, Nigeria.
Setting:
Nigeria, Lagos.
Methods:
This retrospective review of cases was conducted at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos, between January 1992 and December 2006.
Results:
A total of 468 cases of spinal cord injury over the 15-year period were studied. Three hundred and twelve of them (66.2%) were aged 40 years and below, with the peak age incidence as 21–30 years. There were 328 males (70.1%) and 140 females (29.9%) showing a male to female ratio of 2.34:1. Road traffic accident accounted for 362 (77.4%) patients. At presentation, 430 (91.9%) of the injuries were of ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association) class A. Lumbar spine was affected in 278 (59.4%) of patients, whereas cervical spine accounted for 142 (30.3%). The most frequently seen complication was bedsore, seen in 163 (59.9%) of 272 patients that had complications. On discharge, 230 patients (49.1%) were in ASIA class A and 34 (7.5%) in ASIA E. Eighty-two patients (17.5%) died.
Conclusion:
Spinal injuries in Lagos occurred mostly in young adult males affecting mainly the lumbar spine. Traffic-related incidents were the leading cause and bedsore the most common complication.
Keywords:
spinal injuries, trauma, Nigeria
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