Evaluation of Pattern of Lesions Depicted on Brain Computed Tomography Scan of Patients Presenting with Stroke in Zaria, Nigeria

INTRODUCTION: Stroke is a major public health problem worldwide and it is the third leading cause of death in industrialized countries and ranks among the five most common causes of hospital deaths in adults in Africa. Accurate stroke diagnosis has a high significance for patient’s outcome. Computed tomography (CT) brain scan is the imaging of choice for patients presenting to the emergency department with stroke. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: The study aimed at evaluating the pattern of lesion depicted on CT brain of patients presenting with stroke in ABUTH, Zaria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective review of CT findings in 155 patients who presented in the Radiology Department of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) with clinical diagnosis of stroke was undertaken over a period of six months (from October 2017 to April 2018).. RESULTS: Of the 155 patients seen within the period under review, 88 (56.8%) were males while 67 (43.2%) were females. Age range was 11–90 years (mean 56, standard deviation (SD) 16, 44(28.4%) of patients were in the age group of 61–70 years. Ninety six patients (61.9%) had ischaemic stroke, 27(17.4%) had hemorrhagic stroke, eight (5.2%) was stroke mimic, six patients (3.9%) mixed lesions (ie both ischaemic and haemorrhagic). Eighteen patients (11.6%) had normal brain CT findings. The region most affected by stroke was the parietal region 52(38%). CONCLUSION: Ischaemic stroke is the most common form of stroke in this study.