PATTERN OF FINDINGS AMONG PEDIATRIC PATIENTS UNDERGOING BRAIN CT SCAN AT SOKOTO STATE ADVANCED MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC CENTER

Abstract

Title: Patterns of Findings Among Pediatric Patients Undergoing Brain Computed Tomography Scan at Sokoto State Advanced Medical Diagnostic Centre, Sokoto, Nigeria. Objectives: To determine the pattern of CT findings among pediatric patients undergoing brain CT scan at Sokoto State Advanced Medical Diagnostic Centre, Sokoto, to determine the age and gender distribution of the findings, to identify the most common CT findings, and to determine the relationship between CT findings and their etiologies. Significance: The findings of this study will provide useful information on the pattern and distribution of brain pathologies among pediatric patients in Sokoto. The results will also serve as baseline data for further research and assist clinicians and radiographers in improving diagnostic evaluation and management of pediatric brain pathologies. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study design was used. Data were collected retrospectively from 124 pediatric brain CT reports obtained between october 2024 and october 2025 using a structured data collection sheet that included patients’ age, sex, clinical history, and CT findings. Data analysis: The data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel, where descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage distributions were applied to summarize the findings. The results were presented in tables and charts. Results: A total of 124 pediatric brain CT reports were reviewed, consisting of 82 (66.1%) males and 42 (33.9%) females, with ages ranging from 28 days to 18 years. The most common age group was 6–12 years (46.8%). Out of the 124 reports, normal brain CT was the most frequent finding (36.3%), followed by intracranial hemorrhage (23.4%), skull fractures (20.2%), and cerebral contusions (10.5%). Less frequent findings included subdural hygroma, cerebral infarction, cerebral edema, cerebral abscess, and cerebral atrophy. The majority of abnormal findings were associated with road traffic accidents (RTA) as the leading etiology. Conclusion: The study concluded that intracranial hemorrhage was the most prevalent abnormal CT finding among pediatric patients, while normal brain CT findings were also common. Males were more affected than females, and children aged 6–12 years were the most frequently involved. Road traffic accidents were identified as the major cause of abnormal brain CT findings. Keywords: Pediatrics, Brain, Computed Tomography, Findings, Etiology.