Dysphagia as the presenting symptom of tetanus

Tetanus is an infectious disease affecting the neuromuscular system. Two of its most common symptoms, trismus and dysphagia, fall within the expertise of the otolaryngologist, and may result in the patient with the disease seeking his attention initially. Since the diagnosis of tetanus is a purely clinical one and does not involve diagnostic laboratory tests, it is of paramount importance for the practicing otolaryngologist to be thoroughly familiar with the clinical presentation of the disease.