| Author | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Brenna Derksen, MD | University of California San Diego, Department of Emergency Medicine, San Diego, California |
| Sherri Rudinsky, MD | Rady Children’s Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, San Diego, California |
CASE PRESENTATION
A two-year-old female presented to the emergency department with facial lacerations after an attack by the family canine (Boxer breed). The exam revealed a stellate laceration on the cartilage of her left pinna, blood in the ear canal, left-sided facial droop, and inability to close her left eye (Image 1). Computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed avulsion fractures of the left temporal bone, soft tissue emphysema, and an edematous, hyperemic facial nerve (Image 2). The patient was admitted for intravenous antibiotics, operative repair of her temporal bone fractures, and decompression of cranial nerve (CN) VII via mastoidectomy. She was discharged on a steroid taper with minimal improvement in her facial palsy.
DISCUSSION
Temporal bone fractures can result in facial nerve paresis/paralysis if CN VII is involved.1 Facial and skull fractures associated with dog bites in children may result in significant intracranial injuries often requiring complex surgical repair.2,3 Given the thinness of cranial bones in children and high pressures associated with dog bites (200–450 psi), crush injuries and puncture wounds from canine teeth can occur despite minimal skin defects.3,4 Delayed diagnosis of injuries is not uncommon, resulting in significant morbidity.3,4 CT imaging should be considered early, and MR angiography should be obtained in cases of penetrating trauma.1,2-4 Patients with intracranial injury, neurologic deficits, or temporal bone disruption may benefit from early surgical intervention.1,2 Additional management considerations include operative debridement, parenteral antibiotics, corticosteroids, and prophylactic corneal care.1-4
CPC-EM Capsule
What do we already know about this clinical entity?
The thin temporal bones of children are susceptible to high-pressure injuries associated with dog bites, often resulting in damage to important structures such as cranial nerve VII.
What is the major impact of the image(s)?
This image demonstrates that high-pressure injuries from canine teeth can result in significant intracranial pathology despite minimal skin defects.
How might this improve emergency medicine practice?
This image highlights the importance of imaging in cases of penetrating facial trauma from dog bites to avoid delayed diagnosis and facilitate early intervention.
Footnotes
Section Editor: Rick A. McPheeters, DO
Full text available through open access at http://escholarship.org/uc/uciem_cpcem
Address for Correspondence: Brenna Derksen, MD, University of California San Diego, Department of Emergency Medicine, 200 W. Arbor Dr. #8676, San Diego, CA 92103. Email: bderksen@ucsd.edu 1:409 – 410
Submission history: Revision received October 24, 2016; Submitted May 17, 2017; Accepted May 11, 2017
Conflicts of Interest: By the CPC-EM article submission agreement, all authors are required to disclose all affiliations, funding sources and financial or management relationships that could be perceived as potential sources of bias. The authors disclosed none.
REFERENCES
1. Patel A, Groppo E. Management of temporal bone trauma. Craniomaxillofac Trauma Reconstr. 2010;3(2):105-13.
2. Wei LA, Chen HH, Hink EM, et al. Pediatric facial fractures from dog bites. Opthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 2013;29(3):179-82.
3. Shay F, Parra AS, Segal N. Delayed diagnosis of intracranial injury due to a dog bite — a case report and review of the literature. Int J of Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2013;77(9):1400-2.
4. Steen T, Ravin K, Tmmons S, et al. Intracranial injuries from dog bites in children. Pediatr Neurosurg. 2015;50(4):187-95.
