Computed Tomography Aspects of Hemorrhagic Strokes in the Northen Region of Burkina Faso

Abstract

Stroke is a major public health problem worldwide, the third leading cause of death, and the leading cause of acquired physical disability in adults. Compared with cerebral infarctions, hemorrhagic strokes tend to occur earlier in life and have a poorer prognosis. We aim to study the computed tomography aspects of hemorrhagic strokes in the CHUR-OHG imaging department. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection, from 29 September 2022 to 31 August 2023. It concerning patients with hemorrhagic stroke confirmed by brain scan. The mean age of 58 included patients was 59 ± 15 years and the sex ratio was 1.23. Acquisition without injection of contrast medium was performed in 98.28% of cases. Intracerebral hemorrhage was the most frequent lesion (98.28%). It was isolated or associated with ventricular flooding (36.21%) or meningeal hemorrhage (12.07%). It was divided into capsular hematomas in 84.21% of cases with mainly lenticular and thalamic extensions in 49.12% and 36.84% of cases respectively. A mass effect was found in 43.10% of cases on the ventricles and 44.83% on the midline, which was deviated by an average of 6.75 ± 3.1 mm. Cerebral involvement and edema were present in 34.48% and 6.90% of cases respectively. Hemorrhagic strokes is a serious and fatal disease. Primary prevention focusing on risk factors, early diagnosis using Computed tomography or, at best, magnetic resonance imaging, and appropriate management are essential to improve the prognosis.