Renal failure in a patient with an amputated penis by a dog bite
Ja Hyeon Ku and
Hyeon Hoe Kim
Department of Urology, Seoul National University Hospital, 28, Yongon Dong, Jongno Ku, Seoul, 110-744, Korea
Correspondence and offprint requests to: Hyeon Hoe Kim, Department of Urology, Seoul National University Hospital, 28, Yongon Dong, Jongno Ku, Seoul, 110-744, Korea. Email: hhkim{at}snu.ac.kr
Keywords: dog bites; injuries; penis; renal failure; stings; wounds
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Introduction
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Dog bites have been characterized as a major public health problem and a tremendous injury problem [1,2]. Although reports include dog bites of the penis and scrotum, urethral stricture by a dog bite has not been previously reported. We describe a patient with an amputated penis by a dog bite, in whom a long evolution urethral stricture caused renal failure. To our knowledge, this is the first case of renal failure following the amputation of penis by a dog bite over a time span of 60 years.
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Case
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A 60-year-old man presented at our hospital with lower leg oedema. His general appearance was eunuchoid. The patient had been told by his parents that his penile shaft and bilateral testis had been amputated by a dog when he was a year old. The patient stated that he had not received specific management for the injury. A physical examination revealed absent axillary hair, a large non-tender palpable mass in the lower abdomen, suggesting a distended bladder, scanty pubic hair and no bilateral testes. The distal and shaft parts of the penis were absent, leaving a stump of 1 cm, the distal surface of which was covered scar tissue. The urethral meatus was not identified. He underwent ultrasound and computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis, which demonstrated severe bilateral hydronephrosis with thin cortical thickness and a huge distended urinary bladder (Figure 1). The patient was initially treated by haemodialysis to resolve his symptoms and azotemia, and then a suprapubic cystostomy was inserted. Voiding cystourethrography through a suprapubic cystostomy showed a narrow penile urethra, but no vesicoureteral reflux or bladder trabeculation. Despite bladder drainage, his renal function did not improve, and he remains dialysis dependent.

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Fig. 1. Contrast-enhanced computed tomographic scan of the abdomen showing thin renal parenchyme in bilateral kidneys.
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Dogs are well known for being attracted to the perineal area not only of other dogs but of other species as well. They are also known to be attracted to and to ingest the excrement of other animals (coprophagia). It is therefore not uncharacteristic for a dog to be drawn to the perineal area and the genitalia of scantily clad and defenceless or immobilized subjects. Such attacks have the potential to cause significant morbidity, especially with respect to soft tissue injury and infection. Dog bites may result in serious bacterial infections with the Gram-negative rods Capnocytophaga canimorsus. Common clinical and laboratory findings include a rash, leukocytosis, features of disseminated intravascular coagulation and acute renal failure [3]. Haemolytic uremic syndrome and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura have also been described [47]. The case we present here is an example of how an unusual but readily preventable condition can be overlooked. This case report highlights the fact that animal bites can result in severe complications.
Conflict of interest statement. None declared.
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References
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Received for publication: 20. 3.05
Accepted in revised form: 31. 3.05