AYODELE OLABAMIDELE AYODEJI

Traumatic brain injury is a major public health problem and a common surgical emergency in most Nigerian cities. Unfortunately, these injuries sometimes result in mortality. This study aims at correlating the autopsy findings with clinical and neuroimaging findings in patients with fatal head injuries. It is a prospective study in which all patients with traumatic brain injuries who presented to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), died and underwent autopsy are included. Demographic characteristics, mechanism of injury, clinical information, cranial computed tomography and intraoperative findings (where applicable) will be obtained for all the patients. The specific injury-related intracranial findings, as well as relevant extracranial findings, will be recorded. The results will be analyzed using the appropriate statistical tests. Autopsy may detect gaps in clinical diagnosis and investigations as the full extent of injuries may not be antemortem. It provides a unique opportunity to

determine the exact cause of death. This study may provide information that can modify the protocol for the management of patients with traumatic brain injuries.