Objective: To assess the management of patients with traumatic brain injury in the intensive care unit of the National Hospital of Niamey (HNN).

Patients and Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical retrospective study conducted from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021. The study includes patients of any age with isolated traumatic brain injury or traumatic brain injury associated with other injuries, admitted to the intensive care unit of the National Hospital of Niamey. The variables studied were epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic, and outcome-related characteristics of patients with traumatic brain injury.

Results: A total of 92 cases of traumatic brain injury (TBI) were recorded among 544 patients admitted to the HNN intensive care unit during the study period, representing a frequency of 16.91%. Men accounted for 80.43% (n=74), with a sex ratio of 4:1. The mean age of the patients was 24.29 years. Road traffic accidents were the main cause of TBI, representing 85.88% (n=79). On brain computed tomography, epidural and subdural hematomas were each found in 26.09% (n=24) of cases. TBI was isolated in 70.06% (n=65) of patients and associated with other injuries in 29.34% (n=27). Vasoactive drugs were administered in 7.61% (n=7) of cases. Fifty-one percent (51.09%) of patients required neurosurgical intervention. The mean length of stay in the intensive care unit was 7.54 days, and 44.56% (n=41) of patients died.

Conclusion: Traumatic brain injury is a severe and frequent condition in intensive care units and is one of the leading causes of mortality and disability worldwide. Improving patient outcomes requires effective prehospital care and rapid,standardized management to prevent secondary brain injuries.