Cerebellar abscesses caused by dog bite: a case report

Childs Nerv Syst. 2009 Sep;25(9):1137-41. doi: 10.1007/s00381-009-0891-x. Epub 2009 May 5.

Abstract

Introduction: Bites by house pets can be lethal or cause a series of catastrophic events with severe sequels, such as the loss of a limb or a systemic infection which may be life-endangering, especially in the case of children being bitten.

Presentation: A 2-year-old girl was attacked by a dog, causing lesions at the occipital region. This was treated initially as a superficial wound that became further complicated with two cerebellar abscesses. These abscesses required neurosurgical and antimicrobial treatment, with a satisfactory outcome.

Conclusion: The precise and diligent evaluation of a lesion caused by an animal bite may prevent further life-endangering complications. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reports about cerebellar abscess caused by a dog bite. When cranial lesions are penetrating, an abscess must to be considered. We insist on the importance of medical evaluation and adequate treatment of such lesions.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bites and Stings / complications*
  • Brain Abscess / etiology*
  • Brain Abscess / pathology
  • Brain Abscess / therapy
  • Cerebellar Diseases / etiology*
  • Cerebellar Diseases / pathology
  • Cerebellar Diseases / therapy
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dogs*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Skull Fractures / etiology
  • Skull Fractures / pathology
  • Skull Fractures / therapy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome