Clinical pattern of Spinal cord injury in a regional neurosurgical centre in North-west Nigeria

Background: Spinal cord injury remains a global neurosurgical burden affecting young active members of the society. This study was designed to describe the clinical pattern of spinal cord injury in our centre. Methodology: This was a retrospective study conducted at the Regional Neurosurgical Centre of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria over 12 months period (January to December, 2024). Information such as bio demographics, causes, type and clinical presentation and ASIA grade was extracted from patient's case folders and analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Results: Over the study period, 41 patients with spinal cord injury were managed at our center. The age distribution showed a mean age of 34.2 years (±14 standard deviation), a median of 30.5 years, and a mode of 30 years. The gender distribution was markedly skewed toward males, with 34 male patients (82.9%) compared to only 7 female patients (17.1%), giving a male-to-female ratio of 3.9:1. Road traffic accidents dominated as the leading cause of spinal cord injury, responsible for 27 cases (65.9%). The anatomical distribution showed a clear predilection for the cervical spine, which was affected in 29 patients (70.7%). Incomplete spinal cord injuries were substantially more common, with 31 patients (75.6%) presenting with incomplete lesions. Conclusion: Spinal cord injury in Northwest Nigeria predominantly affects young adult males, with road traffic accidents responsible for two-thirds of cases.