title: [Neurosurgical management of head injury in Parakou, Benin: use of radiography].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report useful of skull X-Ray in surgical management of traumatic brain injuries in Benin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive study performed in the Neurosurgery Unit of CHD-Borgou in the North-East of Benin. It concerned 29 cases of TBI all operated between April 2008 and June 2009 on clinical and radiographic criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the patients was 23.46 SD 14.28 years with a male prevalence (93.10%). On the basis of Glasgow Coma Scale scores 9 patients (31%) presented a severe TBI, 15 (51.8%) moderate TBI and 5 (17.2%) mild TBI. The skull radiography showed a depressive fracture at 17 (58.6%) patients, vault fracture at 7 (24.2%) and no lesion in 5 (17.2%) cases. Surgical management was performed on 3 (10.3%) cases cranial wound, 4 (13.8%) cases of extradural hematoma, 17 (58.6%) cases of skull depressive fracture and 5 (17.2%) cases an exploring buhr hole. The Depressive fracture straightening up was associated with surgical management of 3 extradural hematoma, 3 osteodural defect and 4 debridement with duroplasty.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The skull radiography cannot compensate for Brain CT-scan for management of TBI. It can nevertheless bring invaluable information allowing a surgical purpose.
authors: Clinique Universitede Parakou, CHDU-Parakou, Republique du Benin. ftg_holden@yahoo.fr
authors: O H
authors: OH
authors: Fatigba
authors: K M
authors: KM
authors: Savi de Tove
authors: S A
authors: SA
authors: Allode
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Babio
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Padonou
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001541:Benin; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult