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Ketamine in the management of generalised cephalic tetanus
O Obanor1, H O Osazuwa, J E O Amadasun
1Dr Amadasun Ear Care Institute, Westend Hospital, Warri, Nigeria.
The Journal of Laryngology and Otology
|November 27, 2007
Summary
This case report details a tetanus patient managed with ketamine as an adjunctive therapy. Ketamine, combined with diazepam, effectively controlled severe tetanic spasms and airway obstruction.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Tetanus, a fatal infection caused by Clostridium tetani neurotoxin, presents with severe muscle spasms and airway obstruction.
- Current anticonvulsant therapies for tetanus have variable efficacy in controlling seizures.
- This report focuses on novel adjunctive treatment for tetanus management.
Observation:
- A 20-year-old unvaccinated woman presented with tetanus following a self-inflicted ear injury.
- She developed severe tetanic spasms and airway obstruction requiring tracheostomy.
- Breakthrough seizures persisted despite diazepam treatment.
Findings:
- Ketamine was administered as an adjunctive therapy when diazepam was insufficient to control seizures.
- The combination of ketamine and diazepam effectively managed the patient's refractory tetanic spasms.
- Ketamine demonstrated efficacy in controlling tetanus-induced seizures.
Implications:
- Ketamine, a safe anesthetic agent, shows promise as an adjunctive treatment for tetanus.
- This case suggests ketamine may be valuable in managing tetanus, particularly when anesthesiologists are unavailable.
- Further clinical evaluation of ketamine for tetanus is warranted.
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