Pattern of plain x-ray findings in bone injuries among motorcycle accident victims in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

The use of motorcycles for transportation is perceived as posing a threat to public health in Lagos metropolis due to accidents associated with it. The aim of the study is to evaluate plain x-ray findings in bone injuries/fractures sustained by victims of motorcycle accidents in Lagos metropolis. In the retrospective cross-sectional survey, convenience sampling method was used to select three tertiary hospitals used for the study. Ethical approvals were obtained from the institutions’ review boards before the study began. Available x-ray films with a radiologist’s reports of plain x-ray investigations carried out between June 2011 and September 2012 were reviewed. Only subjects who carried out x-ray investigations as a result of motorcycle accidents were selected for the study. Subjects whose x-ray investigations do not have radiologist’s reports were not included in the study. Of 812 subjects reviewed, 12.4 and 5.9% were in the 20 to 24 years and 50 to 54 years age range respectively; 29.3% had normal radiographs whereas as a significant proportion (70.3%; p < 0.05) had fractures. Furthermore, a significant proportion (17.4%; p < 0.05) of all fracture cases confirmed by a radiologist’s report were skull fractures. Skull fractures sustained following motorcycle accidents posed serious threats to people in Lagos metropolis within the period studied. The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and Lagos state government should, therefore, enforce use of helmets by motorcycle riders and their passengers; restrict the use of motorcycles for transportation in the state to prevent or ameliorate the carnage caused by motorcycle accidents in the metropolis.

Keywords: Okada, accidents, fractures, Nigeria.