Cerebellar abscesses caused by dog bite: a case report

Isolierte bilaterale kranielle Hundebissverletzung bei einem Neugeborenen

Durch Hundeangriffe können lebensgefährliche Verletzungen verursacht werden. Die Lokalisationen von Hundebissen korrelieren mit dem Alter und den motorischen Fähigkeiten des Opfers. Bei Kindern unter 6 Jahren finden sich im Vergleich zu Erwachsenen und älteren Kindern häufiger schwere Bisswunden, v. a. im Kopf-Hals-Bereich. Es wird der Fall eines 20 Tage alten Neugeborenen mit einer schweren Form der Osteogenesis imperfecta vorgestellt, das mit 2 Hunden allein gelassen und attackiert wurde und eine isolierte, bilaterale Kopfschwartenverletzung und intrakranielle Verletzungen erlitt. Besonderheiten von Hundebissen werden mit besonderem Augenmerk auf Säuglinge und Kinder diskutiert. Isolierte schwere Kopfverletzungen nach Hundebissen sind ein seltenes Phänomen.

Dog-Bite-Related Craniofacial Fractures among Pediatric Patients: A Case Series and Review of Literature

Dog bites in the pediatric population commonly cause injuries to the head and can be associated with fractures, often leading to prolonged hospital stays, multiple surgical interventions, and long-term complications. Our goal was to evaluate our experience with dog-bite-related craniofacial fractures, understand frequency and demographics of these fractures, identify common fracture patterns, and provide recommendations based on management and complications encountered. The institution's electronic medical record was reviewed. A review of the English literature for the past 20 years was also conducted. A retrospective chart review was conducted using ICD-9 codes to include all patients with head and neck dog bites and craniofacial fractures. Fractures resulting from canine bites to the face and scalp were rare, occurring in our study in less than 1% of total facial dog bites (1,069 cases) and 1.5% of pediatric facial dog bites (462 cases). Ages ranged from 5 months to 9 years at the time of presentation. A total of seven patients, all pediatric, were documented. All seven patients required operative intervention for their wounds, and five patients required at least two operative interventions. Midface and skull fractures were the most commonly encountered fracture sites. Dog bite injuries to the face in young children, especially when severe, should raise suspicion for fracture of underlying bone. Management of these injuries should include a multidisciplinary approach and focus on repair of soft tissue and skeletal deformities. Furthermore, it is prudent to follow up patients who require operative management after injury to monitor for long-term complications, given the significant proportion of complications and operative takebacks in this study.

Neurosurgical sequelae of domestic dog attacks in children

OBJECTIVE The authors' goals in this study were to describe a series of dog attacks on children that required neurosurgical consultation and to better understand the pattern of injuries inflicted, the circumstances that place children at risk for attack, and the dog breeds involved. In addition, the authors review the surgical and medical management of these patients. METHODS The authors performed a retrospective review of all children requiring neurosurgical consultation for dog bite at a regional Level 1 pediatric trauma center over a 15-year period. RESULTS A total of 124 children with dog bites to the head, face, and neck were evaluated in the emergency department. Of these, 17 children (13.7%) incurred injuries requiring neurosurgical consultation. Fifty-three percent of victims were female. The mean age at the time of attack was 30 months. Twelve (71%) of the attacks were perpetrated by the family pet, and 13 (76%) occurred at the patient's home. Breeds involved in the attacks included German Shepherd, Pit Bull, American Bulldog, large mixed breed, Labrador Retriever, and Akita, with German Shepherds and Akitas being the most frequently involved. Neurosurgical injuries included nondepressed skull fracture in 5, depressed skull fracture in 10, intracranial hemorrhage in 5, cerebral contusions in 4, dural laceration in 4, pneumocephalus in 5, clinically evident CSF leak in 3, spinal fracture with complete spinal cord injury in 1, stroke in 2, vascular injury in 2, and cranial nerve injury (hypoglossal and facial nerve) in 1. Prophylactic antibiotics were administered in 16 patients (94%). Only 1 patient had a confirmed infection involving the site of injury. Neurosurgical intervention was required in 10 patients (59%) and ranged in severity from debridement and closure of a complex scalp wound to decompressive craniectomy. Neurological deficits, all of which were considered catastrophic, developed in 3 patients (18%). CONCLUSIONS Dog attacks on children requiring neurosurgical consultation commonly involve the family pet, which is usually a large-breed dog with no history of prior aggression. Neurosurgical injuries often involve the cranial vault, with depressed skull fractures being the most common injury pattern. Most patients do not suffer a neurological deficit, although catastrophic neurological injury may occur. Prophylactic antibiotics are commonly used and surgical intervention is required in the majority of cases.

Streptococcus oralis cerebral abscess following monkey bite in a 2-month-old infant

Although cerebral abscesses caused by animal bites have been reported, they are extremely rare in infants and have not been described following monkey bite. A 55-day-old male infant presented with a multi-loculated Streptococcus oralis cerebral abscess following a monkey bite on the scalp. There was a clinical response to antibiotic therapy and repeated surgical aspiration followed by a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. This is the first report of a patient with a brain abscess following a monkey bite.

Brain abscess in seven cats due to a bite wound: MRI findings, surgical management and outcome

PRESENTATION AND LESION LOCALISATION: Seven adult domestic shorthair cats were presented with a 1- to 6-day history of progressive neurological signs. A focal skin puncture and subcutaneous swelling over the dorsal part of the head were detected on physical examination. Neurological examination indicated lesion(s) in the right forebrain in four cats, multifocal forebrain in one cat, left forebrain in one cat, and multifocal forebrain and brainstem in the remaining cat. In all cats, magnetic resonance imaging revealed a space-occupying forebrain lesion causing a severe mass effect on adjacent brain parenchyma. CLINICAL APPROACH AND OUTCOME: All cats were managed with a combination of medical and surgical treatment. At surgery a small penetrating calvarial fracture was detected in all cats, and a tooth fragment was found within the content of the abscess in two cats. The combination of surgical intervention, intensive care and intravenous antimicrobials led to a return to normal neurological function in five cats.

PRACTICAL RELEVANCE

As this series of cases indicates, successful resolution of a brain abscess due to a bite injury depends on early recognition and combined used of antimicrobials and surgical intervention. A particular aim of surgery is to remove any skull and foreign body (tooth) fragments that may represent a continuing focus of infection.

Animal bite-associated infections: microbiology and treatment

Human and animal bites may lead to serious infection. The organisms involved tend to originate from the oral cavity of the offending biter, as well as the environment where the injury occurred. A variety of aerobic as well as anaerobic organisms have been isolated from bite wounds, with infection ranging from localized cellulitis to systemic dissemination, leading to severe disease ranging from abscess to bone and joint infection, to endocarditis and brain abscess. Immediate wound management, including recognition of the most commonly associated infectious pathogens, and judicious use of empiric antibiotics are crucial in providing the best care after a bite. Here, we discuss the common animal bite associated infections, and provide the most up to date information regarding their management.