Summary
A 10-month-old Czech wolf dog was unconscious after being kicked in the head by a
horse. The following day, the dog was ataxic and collapsed after several steps. The
level of consciousness was decreased. Cranial nerve examination was normal and right
postural reactions were decreased. Spinal reflexes were intact in all limbs. The diagnostic
work-up included a computed tomography (CT) scan of the head with IV contrast. A lenticular
shaped, hyperdense, non-enhancing lesion was observed in the left fronto-parietal
region. A diagnosis of intracranial epidural haematoma was made. Two craniotomies
were performed on a different day and most of the haematoma was removed. Corticosteroids
and antimicrobial therapy were administered. Fifteen days after the surgery, the clinical
examinations were unremarkable. Fifteen months later, the owners considered the dog
normal. Intracranial subdural or intraparenchymal haematomas have been described in
the veterinary literature. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of
the successful management of an intracranial epidural haematoma in the dog. In humans,
these lesions are well described. Common locations are temporal, parietal and frontal
regions or a combination of these regions. Patients can be asymptomatic, present with
varying clinical signs, or be unconscious. Based on the human literature, following
trauma to the head, a CT scan should be performed even if the patient is asymptomatic.
Some authors believe that there are not any absolute indications for conservative
management versus surgical management.
Keywords
Epidural - haematoma - intracranial - Neurosurgery - dog
