CT Brain Imaging and Seizure Etiology in Sudanese Adults: A Clinical Correlation Study

Haram Sidahmed ¹ , Osama Elhaj ²  , Wadah Ahmed ³ Mashel Idris⁴ Basil  Mahmoud ⁵ ,  Islam Mohammed^SR

Abstract

 

        Purpose: Adult seizure is one of the more frequent clinical scenarios. Neuroimaging can help determine whether a seizure in a patient results from a structural abnormality of the brain or its surroundings. This study has been undertaken to evaluate the role of a brain CT scan in adult patients presenting with seizures in El-Moalem Medical City, thus aiding in management. This study also highlights the common CT abnormalities in patients presenting with seizures. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in the radiology department of the aforementioned site from October 2018 to April 2019. Patients aged 18 years or more who were referred for CT scans of the head with a history of seizures were included in our study, with a total of 93 patients.  Results: One-third of our participants were >60 years old. 53.8 % of them were males and 46.2 % were female. Focal seizures were seen in only 6.5 % of patients, whereas generalized seizures were seen in 93.5 %. Abnormal CT scan findings were found in 48.4% of patients with seizures. CT scan was abnormal in 84% of patients with focal seizure. 46% of patients with generalized seizures had abnormal CT scans. Cerebral infarction was the most common abnormality detected on CT scans, followed by tumours and haemorrhage. Conclusion: CT scan showed its diagnostic efficacy in nearly half of the cases assessing adult seizures. Cerebrovascular causes dominated the etiologies found.