Bovine Related Head Trauma in Tema- A Case Report.

Abstract

Objective and Importance: The trauma literature rarely addresses injuries related to livestock. We report a case of penetrating head injury caused by a bovine, discuss the presentation and management and review the literature on livestock related injuries.

Clinical Presentation: We report the case of a 47-year old man who presented with mental status changes and a scalp laceration. A head CT scan revealed a left temporal bone non-depressed skull fracture, pneumocephalus, an intraaxial temporal lobe hematoma and subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Intervention: The patient was treated non-operatively with antibiotics and Nimodopine. He became symptom free with radiographic resolution of the intracranial lesion. Reviewing the literature, we found that there were no reports of head trauma caused by bovines in Ghana.

Conclusion: Ideal management of bovine related head injury includes treatment in a well resourced center and an educational program of preventive measures.


Keywords: head injury, skull fracture, bovine

Nigerian Journal of Orthopaedics and Trauma Vol. 6 (2) 2007: pp. 88-90