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

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.

Keywords::

• head injury
• chronic subdural haematoma
• elderly trauma
• neurosurgery

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the staff of the Medical Records department at Mater Dei Hospital who were very helpful, and also, the data protection department at Mater Dei Hospital who have guided us as to how to collect the data in a safe and anonymised method.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.