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Cephalic tetanus from penetrating orbital wound
Eloïse Guyennet1, Jean-Laurent Guyomard, Emilie Barnay
1Department of Ophthalmology, CHU Pontchaillou, rue Henri le Guilloux, 35000 Rennes, France.
Case Reports in Medicine
|August 28, 2009
Summary
Tetanus, a neurologic disorder from Clostridium tetani toxin, can manifest as cephalic tetanus. This case highlights its rare occurrence from orbital wounds, emphasizing prompt diagnosis for patients with specific symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Tetanus is a serious neurologic disorder caused by the toxin tetanospasmin from Clostridium tetani.
- Cephalic tetanus is a localized form characterized by trismus and cranial nerve dysfunction.
Observation:
- A man presented with facial trauma, orbital findings including air bubbles, and cranial nerve palsies.
- Symptoms evolved after foreign body extraction, including facial nerve palsy, swallowing difficulties, and additional cranial nerve deficits.
Findings:
- The case represents a rare instance of cephalic tetanus originating from a penetrating orbital wound.
- Clinical presentation included ophthalmoplegia, exophthalmos, areactive mydriasis, and trismus.
Implications:
- Orbital wounds with ophthalmoplegia and signs of anaerobic infection warrant consideration for cephalic tetanus.
- Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for managing this rare but severe neurologic complication.
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