Cephalic tetanus: A case report.
- Author:
Seung Hee RYU
1
;
Il Young SEO
;
Hong Ju PARK
;
Hee Kyun OH
Author Information
1. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry, Dental Science Research Institute, Chonnam National University.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Cephalic tetanus;
Trismus
- MeSH:
Anti-Bacterial Agents;
Cranial Nerves;
Deglutition Disorders;
Diagnosis;
Facial Pain;
Humans;
Immunoglobulins;
Jaw;
Male;
Mortality;
Neck;
Olfactory Nerve;
Paralysis;
Spasm;
Tetanus*;
Trismus
- From:Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
2004;30(4):345-348
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Cephalic tetanus is a rare subtype of tetanus in which trismus is a charateristic symptom. The paralysis of one or more cranial nerves can occur. The 7th cranial nerve is most frequently involved. It account for 1 to 3% of the tetanus and has a mortality of 15 to 30%. The incubation period is 1 to 14 days, and approximately two thirds of tetanus cases progress to generalized tetanus. Generally, the symptoms of cephalic tetanus can include : facial pain, trismus, dysphagia, muscle twitching spasms of the face and jaw (risus sardonicus), neck stiffness and malaise. We present a case of cephalic tetanus who 54-year male patient had trismus and dysphagia. There was no history of trauma. As there was a delay in diagnosis of cephalic tetanus, respiratory disorder and intermittent general spasm occurred. The patient was treated by injection of antibiotics, muscle relaxant, and human anti-tetanus immunoglobulin. His symptoms were disappeared, and he was discharged ambulatory.
