The Pattern of Neurosurgical Disorders in Rural Northern Tanzania: A Prospective Hospital-Based Study
2010; Elsevier BV; Volume: 73; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/j.wneu.2010.03.037
ISSN1878-8769
AutoresAndrea Sylvia Winkler, Anthony Tluway, David F. Slottje, Erich Schmutzhard, Roger Härtl,
Tópico(s)Spinal Dysraphism and Malformations
ResumoThe prudent allocation of neurosurgical resources and training efforts requires an understanding of prevalence and clinical pattern of neurosurgical disorders in a particular region. The aim of our study was to assess the hospital-based prevalence of neurosurgical disease in the setting of rural sub-Saharan Africa.The study was conducted at Haydom Lutheran Hospital in northern Tanzania. Over a period of 8 months, all patients suspected of having neurologic or neurosurgical disorders were seen by a neurologist in consecutive order. Patients were assessed clinically and with plain radiographs, a computed tomography scanner was not available.Of 8676 admissions, 151 patients (1.7%) were given a neurosurgical diagnosis. The most frequent diagnoses were traumatic brain injury (n=90), followed by tuberculosis of the spine (n=22), spina bifida (n=14), space-occupying cerebral lesion (n=13), and hydrocephalus (n=12). The overall mortality was 10.6%; it was especially high in patients with hydrocephalus (25%), space-occupying cerebral lesions (54%), and spina bifida (29%).Initial neurosurgical training and resource allocation in sub-Saharan Africa should focus on neurotrauma, spinal infections, congenital malformations, and hydrocephalus.
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