Skull fractures in fatal head injuries - a comparative analysis of ct and autopsy findings

Head injuries are one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The present prospective research studies the correlation of CT scan with autopsy findings with regard to skull fractures sustained in fatal head injuries during 1998 and 2000. The study included 76 cases of fatal head injuries referred to the Department of Forensic Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal for medico legal autopsy. Fatal head injuries are a more common feature amongst males (male-female ratio- 6:1), and in the third decade of life (26.31%). Road traffic mishaps remain the most common cause of fatal head injuries. During the study period CT scan revealedfractures of the vault in 29 cases and fractures of the base of the skull in 11 cases while on autopsy fractures were observed in the vault in 39 cases and base of skull in 31 cases. CT scan diagnosed 6 cases with fractures of both, the vault and the base of the skull while the autopsy revealed 23 cases with fractures of both the vault and the base of the skull. The study reveals that discrepancies exist between CT and autopsy findings with regard to skullfractures. It is evident that CT scan when compared to autopsy is not a very reliable tool in diagnosing fractures of the skull especially the base of the skull.