Patterns of brain CT findings of stroke patients in a tertiary hospital in south south, Nigeria

Background: Stroke has significant economic, social and medical impact worldwide especially in developing countries. Brain computedtomography plays a key role in identifying this condition so that early management can be instituted in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality of this condition. The aim of the study is to identify the pattern of lesions on brain of patients who presented with stroke in Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH) using computed tomography (CT)Methods: A retrospective review of CT findings in 109 patients who presented in the Radiology Department of Delta State University Teaching Hospital with clinical suspicion of stroke was carried out within a five year period. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Scientific Solutions (SPSS) version 22.Results: Of the 109 clinically diagnosed cases of stroke, 63(57.8%) were males, 43 ( 42.2%) were females. The mean age of presentation was 63.93±14.36 years. Ischaemic stroke accounted for majority of the cases, 49(45%), while intracranial haemorrhage made up 22 cases ( 20%). Ischaemic as well as haemorrhagic stroke were commoner in males; ischaemic (53.1% for males, 46.1 % for females) and haemorrhagic ( 59.1% for males, 40.9% for females). Ischaemic occurred significantly more on the parietal lobes (right 26.5%, p=0.003; left 30.6%, p < 0.0001) while haemorrhagic stroke showed significant predilection for basal ganglia (right 27.3%, p= 0.005; left 22.7% p=0.045)Conclusion: Ischaemic stroke is the predominant form of stroke with males commonly affected. The left parietal lobe significantly implicated in majority of cases.