Early postoperative seizures after vocal fold surgery attributed to shigellosis

A 44-year-old previously healthy woman underwent surgery of the vocal folds and developed early postoperative seizures caused by an unusual aetiology. Clinical assessment and laboratory results revealed that the patient suffered from an acute-onset shigellosis infection which was thought to be the cause of her early postoperative seizures. The shigellosis infection was treated with azithromycin which resulted in rapid clinical improvement, and the seizures were successfully managed with benzodiazepines, sodium valproate and levetiracetam. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of shigellosis-induced seizures in an adult in the peri-operative period. Early detection of the aetiology of seizures is crucial to ensure appropriate management and a safe patient outcome.