Domestic animal-related neuro-trauma: An account, from a tertiary institute

CONTEXT: Experience of animal-related neurotrauma at an apex institute, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India. AIMS: The aim of this study is to review epidemiology, clinical findings, and outcome of animal-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) evaluated and treated at our institute. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A retrospective study consisting of demographic data, clinical findings, radiological details, and outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical and imaging records of 30 patients treated for animal-related TBI at the emergency services, from January to July 2010. Outcome was assessed by Glasgow outcome scale (GOS). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: SPSS 15.0 version, descriptive statistics. RESULTS: A total of 6190 neurotrauma cases were evaluated and treated during the study period. Among them, 30 (0.48%) were animal-inflicted injuries. Of these cases, animal-vehicle collision and directly animal-inflicted injuries were 15 (50%) each. The mean age of patients were 39.46 (6-71 years). Twenty-nine (96.66%) cases were from rural areas. Twenty-three (76.6%) had mild, 6 (20%) had moderate, and 1 (3.3%) had severe head injury (Glasgow coma scale). Four (13.3%) patients had abnormal pupillary reaction. Associated injuries were found in 25 (83.3%) patients. CT scan was abnormal in 50% (15/30), common finding was contusion in 8 (26.6%) patients, followed by edema in 6 (20%). There were 3 (10%) spine injuries, 1 (3.3%) internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection, and 2 (6.6%) brachial plexuses injuries. Three (10%) required surgery, and 1 (3.3%) patient expired. As per the GOS, good recovery was seen in 8 (80%) patients, moderate disability in 1 (10%), and vegetative state in 1 (10%) patient.