Comparison of the predictive strength of total white blood cell count within 24 hours on the outcome of traumatic brain injury with cranial computed tomography scan in a resource-limited tertiary health centre in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Background: The enormous disease burden of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a huge source of concern to the patient and caregivers. Computed tomography (CCT) scan is a valuable investigative tool in patients with traumatic brain injury which can be used to predict the outcome of TBI. The use of total white blood cell as a predictive parameter in patients with TBI is still at a primordial stage. This study aimed to compare the predictive strength of total WBC count within 24 hours of TBI with cranial computed tomography scan.

Methods: This research was done over one-year period at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos. One hundred and fifty-eight patient who met the inclusion criteria were studied and the male to female ratio of 3.6:1.

Results: The mean total WBC count was 14,279.94 and the area under the curve of total WBC count and CCT scan was 0.633 and 0.855 respectively.

Conclusion: Our conclusion was that despite both parameters been a predictor of the outcome of TBI, the total white blood cell is a weaker predictor of outcome compared to cranial computerize tomography scan.