Socio-Demographic Profile and Management of Spinal Trauma in Benin City, Nigeria
David Okon Udoh & Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Obeta
Consultant Neurological Surgeon
University of Benin Teaching Hospital,
P.M.B.1111, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
Email: davidudoh07@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Background: Spinal cord injury, especially cervical, is one the most devastating conditions in clinical medicine, the affected individual (usually with a keen an alert mind unlike in brain trauma) having to depend on others for most of his needs. Also, the family and society may have to bear that burden for very long.To determine the epidemiological profile and outcomes of treatment of spinal cord injuries in Benin City, Nigeria.
Retrospectively analysed prospective data of 186 patients managed for traumatic myelopathy at our tertiary hospital, a major trauma referral centre in the Southern region of Nigeria, from June 2006 to May 2010.Data
on demography, clinical and radiological characteristics as well as treatment outcomes were obtained from the computerised log of patient records. Data was analysed using SPPSS 21.0. A total of 186 patients, 149
(80%) males and 37 (20%) females, suffered traumatic spine injuries. One hundred and forty-two (142) patients, i.e. 76.3%, were aged 21 to 50 years. Young patients (21 – 40 years i.e. 104 patients, 55.9%), especially 21 to 30
years who accounted for 31.7% were the population mostly at risk and injuries were uncommon at the extremes of life. Eighty-three percent were civil servants, artisans, business persons and students while 82% were low
income and middle income earners. Motor vehicle accidents caused 74% of injuries; the upper cervical spinal cord was affected in 51% of patients followed by lower thoracic, upper thoracic, lower cervical and lumbar
regions in that order. In our study, 90% of patients were managed conservatively. Spinal trauma affects mostly the young, the active working class, low and middle income earners and is due almost exclusively to
preventable causes. The latter should be the focus of government-propelled targeted remedies aimed at curbing this scourge.
Keywords: Spinal Cord Injury; Family and Society; Burden; Motor Vehicle Accidents; Scourge.
