Characterization of cranial trauma by aggression in Matanzas

Abstract

Background: Cranioencephalic trauma by aggression is a motive of frequent consultation in the Neurosurgery Services of the country. The aim was to know its incidence, its more frequent lesions, status at admission, mortality and early sequels of the patient who suffered a neurotraumatic aggression with special care necessity.
Materials and methods: an observational, descriptive study was carried out characterizing 39 patients admitted in the Neurosurgery Services of Matanzas in a two-year period, who presented cranioencephalic trauma due to aggression.
Outcomes: male sex predominated (77 %) and people aged less than 45 years (77.4 %), being drank at the moment of the trauma (55 %). Machete was the most used vulnerary agent in the aggression. 72 % of the cases were admitted with a 14 and 15 punctuation in the Glasgow Scale; 18 % among 13 and 9 points, and 10 % below 8 points. Among the most frequently found lesions are lineal fractures, penetrating depressed fractures, contusive focuses and the presence of epidural hematoma. 2 patients presented high sagittal sinus lesion. 74 % of the cases needed surgical treatment and Glasgow punctuation at discharge was good in 77 % of the patients.
Conclusions: Aggression as a cause of cranioencephalic trauma is relatively frequent in our surroundings; the pathology is almost exclusive of the male gender; quarrelling and alcohol are directly related with the trauma. In general, cranioencephalic trauma by aggression presents low mortality, but a considerable morbidity.