Pattern of fatal head injuries due to vehicular accidents in Mangalore

Head injury is an important cause of mortality worldwide as the head is the most vulnerable part of the body involved in fatal road traffic accidents. The present study was undertaken on 682 victims of road traffic accidents who died due to injuries sustained to the head, which were autopsied at District Wenlock Hospital, Mangalore over a period of 5 years between January 1999 and December 2003. Most of the accidents had taken place during the afternoon and evening hours (1400-2200h). There was a marked male preponderance (84.6%). The most vulnerable age group was found to be between 21 and 30 years. Two wheeler occupants were most commonly involved. Skull fractures were present in 88.88% of the cases. Fractures of the vault were found in 88%, base of the skull in 35.97% and a combination of both in 35% of cases. In most of the cases, fissured fractures were found (23%). Among intra-cranial haemorrhages, subdural haemorrhage was found in 52.63% and subarachnoid haemorrhage in 27.27% of cases. Contusions and lacerations of brain were found equally in 35% of cases.