Brain CT Findings in Adult Patients Visiting Emergency Department with First Onset Seizure in Mahasarakham Hospital

Abstract

Objective : The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of abnormal CT brain findings in adult patients visiting the emergency department with first onset seizure in Mahasarakham Hospital.

Methods : Two-hundred and seventeen adult patients aged more than 15 years, who visited the emergency department of Mahasarakham Hospital between October 1^st 2020-October 30th 2021 with first onset seizure and underwent unenhanced CT scan of the brain, were enrolled. Their underlying disease and clinical information including radiology reports were studied retrospectively. 

Result : There were 130 male patients (59.9%) and 87 female patients (40.1%). The patients’ mean age was 56.27 ± 16.79 yrs. The CT scan abnormalities were found in 131 cases (60.4%). The factors correlated with the CT abnormality were 1. Bleeding tendency (p-value=0.019), 2. History of head injury (OR 3.82, 95%CI; 1.40-10.42) (p-value=0.006), 3. History of stroke (p-value<0.001), 4. History of brain surgery (p-value<0.001), and 5. History of alcohol use (OR 0.43, 95%CI; 0.19-0.997) (p-value=0.045).

Conclusion : The CT abnormalities in adult patients with first onset seizure visiting the emergency department of Mahasarakham Hospital were associated with bleeding tendency, history of head injury, stroke, brain surgery, and alcohol use.