Successful management of depression skull fracture in a boy with dog bite injury: A case report

Abstract

Rationale: There are many cases of daily reported dog bite injuries around the world. However, craniofacial fractures owing to dog bites are quite rare. They are frequently seen in the pediatric age group. Here, we report the successful management of a pediatric patient with depression skull fracture due to a dog bite injury. Patient’s concerns: A 3-year-old boy was admitted to the emergency department with a complicated skull fracture due to a dog bite injury. In physical examination, the patient was neurologically intact. He had hemorrhagic scalp wounds. Cerebrospinal fluid was leaking on the right temporal and frontal sides. Diagnosis: Cranial computed tomography revealed pneumocephalus, brain edema, and compound fracture associated with right frontal concussion. Intervention: After decompressive craniectomy, duraplasty was performed by placing a galea graft. Depressed fractures were removed and subdural bleeding control was provided. Outcomes: Perioperative and postoperative periods were uneventful. Lessons: Emergency medicine physicians should control possible underlying fracture lines in pediatric head trauma caused by dog bites.

Keywords

• craniocerebral trauma; dog bite; skull fracture; pediatric patient; cranial computed tomography; cerebrospinal fluid leakage