Pattern of Head Injuries in Road Traffic Accidents in Imphal

This study was conducted at the mortuary of the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences during the period of September 2007 to August 2009 on 126 victims of road traffic accidents, who had sustained head injuries. It was observed that majority of the cases were in the age group of 21 - 30 years (28.57%) with the male: female ratio of 2:1. Pedestrians (38.89%) were the commonest victims and trucks were the frequent offending vehicles. Fissured fracture was observed in 54.72% followed by comminuted fracture in 33.96%. Temporal bone was the most frequent bone (33.96%) to be fractured. 43.42% of the victims had intracranial haemorrhage, of which 47.19% had subdural with subarachnoid haemorrhage. 77.5% had laceration of the brain and 31.25% had contre coup lesions. 38.10% died on the spot while another 38.10% died within 6 hours. The study highlights the need for implementation of stricter traffic rules and provision of emergency trauma services at the site of accidents.