Neurological trauma: The Nigerian situation

Abstract

Head injuries are present in more than 50% of trauma-related deaths and about 10% of cases have associated cervical spine injuries. Up to 30% of pre-hospital deaths, including those due to neurosurgical trauma, are preventable in the presence of good pre-hospital care. This review aims to identify the modifiable factors responsible for poor outcomes in patients with neurosurgical trauma in the Nigerian society and to suggest ways of tackling the situation. Every aspect of the trauma care chain needs to be overhauled if head injury itself is not to become a death sentence in Nigeria.