Computerized Tomographic Brain Findings in Hypertensives with Stroke in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract Background: Stroke has become an increasingly significant health problem, and early diagnosis of the stroke type with prompt management improves prognosis. Neuroimaging is crucial to the management of stroke, and computed tomography (CT) scan is a cardinal diagnostic tool in identifying the subtypes, the knowledge of which will improve the management of the patients. Aims and Objectives: The study was aimed at establishing the cranial CT findings in hypertensives with stroke, ascertain the type of stroke, frequency of specific features, such as sites, vascular territories, and secondary effects of the primary lesion. Associations of CT findings with variables such as age and coexisting risk factors were also explored. Materials and Methods: Eighty-four adult hypertensive patients with clinical diagnosis of stroke were serially recruited and cranial CT scan was performed, using 16-slice multidetector CT machine (Toshiba Activion 16®), within 24 h of presentation at the emergency department. All clinical findings, demographic parameters, and radiological findings were documented. The data obtained were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS version 23.0. Armonk, NY, USA). Results: The mean age of the patients was 57.94 ± 12.05 (mean ± standard deviation) and females were more than males with a male:female ratio of 1:1.3. Ischemic stroke constituted 59.5% while hemorrhagic stroke was 40.5%, and the left middle cerebral artery territory was the most common area affected by both stroke types (P < 0.01). Most of the intracerebral bleed occurred in the basal ganglia (50%), and hemorrhagic stroke was more associated with severe neurological deficits (67.6%) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Ischemic stroke was more common than hemorrhagic stroke, and more women were affected on a general note. The middle cerebral artery territory is the most common site of affectation, and positive association was established between noncompliance with anti-hypertensive medication and stroke.