Tetanus in a Breast Cancer Patient with Adjuvant Chemotherapy

Tetanus is a neurologic disorder caused by a tetanoplasmin which is a neurotoxin elaborated by Clostridium tetani. It is characterized by increased muscle tone and spasm. Since a nationwide childhood vaccination program, tetanus has become a rare disease in Korea. Because many physicians have little experience, misdiagnosis or therapeutic delay may result in unexpected consequences. Although it has high mortality rate on attack, early detection, proper immunization and supportive care can increase survival rate. We report a case of tetanus due to puncture injury by splinter in a 69-year-old woman who has been treated with adjuvant chemotherapy of breast cancer. She was admitted to emergency room with difficulty of opening mouth for 3 days. After two days, we detected that the patient suddenly fell on her back with muscle spasm, so we diagnosed her with tetanus. She was given human tetanus immunoglobulin intramuscularly and supportive care. Forty days after admission, she was discharged without complications.

A Case of Spigelian Hernia in Upper Abdomen

Spigelian hernia is an uncommon hernia of the ant. abdominal wall. Because of its insidious nature and nonspecific physical findings, the diagnosis of this hernia is often not made. Typically, the hernia orifice is small, and strangulation of the contents of the hernial sac can occur. Computed tomography permits the distinction between Spigelian hernia and other anterial abdominal wall or intraabdominal masses. Spigelian hernia requires surgical correction to prevent complication of acute abdomen with strangulation or incarceration. The typical site of a Spigelian hernia is at the level of the semicircular fold of Douglas known as the arcuate line. Spigelian hernia can occur above the umbilicus, high Spigelian hernia, but its very unusual site. We report a case of Spigelian hernia on upper abdomen and review the literature.