Dysphagia in tetanus: evaluation and outcome

A 72-year-old man who contracted tetanus after a puncture wound presented with severe dysphagia in association with trismus, risus sardonicus, and nuchal rigidity. We describe his medical course and outcome, including repeated videofluoroscopic barium swallow examinations. We emphasize the value of videofluoroscopy for examining and managing dysphagia in patients with tetanus, in both the acute and chronic stages of this rare illness.