Cephalic tetanus: A case report

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.