Common Peroneal Nerve Injury Caused by a Wild Boar Attack

Wild boar-inflicted nerve injuries have been very rarely reported in the literature. A 62-year-old man was attacked by a wild boar in eastern Turkey and brought to the emergency department. He had 5 lacerations on the lower extremities and 2 on the posterior thoracic region. In addition to soft tissue lacerations, he sustained a complete laceration of the left common peroneal nerve with a foot drop. The common peroneal nerve was repaired primarily the day after the attack. The patient was discharged after a short hospital stay without any immediate complications; however, at the 10-mo follow-up, he still had a left foot drop.

Capybara Bites: Report of Human Injury Caused by a Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris

BACKGROUND

Health care demand due to animal bites is frequent, especially in the emergency department (ED). In addition to the physical trauma caused by bites, one should be concerned with infectious diseases that can be transmitted. The range of the lesions depends on the animal species. Bites of Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris (capybaras) in humans are relatively uncommon. Capybaras are docile animals; however, their large rodent incisive teeth could cause serious injury. Localized care, antibiotic therapy when necessary, careful examination of the structures, tetanus and rabies immunization as indicated, and follow-up are recommended for wild animal bites. The authors hereby describe and discuss the medical management of a case of multiple lesions from capybara bites on the right thigh of a man.

CASE REPORT

A 54-year-old male patient was admitted to the ED with a compression bandage soaked with blood after being bitten by a capybara. At the clinical examination, the patient had two lacerating wounds and multiple abrasions on the anterior face of the right thigh. Rabies prophylaxis was administered and the wounds were irrigated and closed with sterile dressings. Oral amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium for 7 days was administered to the patient. The patient was followed up; 3 months after the attack he returned to his previous level of activity without any complication. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: We recommend that practitioners and physicians should provide prompt attention due to potentially significant morbidities, particularly rabies. The adequate care of the wound will allow better aesthetic and functional results to victims of wild animal bites.