J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg.  1998 Feb;24(1):129-132.

Delirium tremens associated with fracture of mandible: Report of A Case

• Yoo JH
• Choi BH
• Lee WJ
• Jung JH
• Won CY
• Park KC

Abstract

Delirium tremens is a severe state of alcohol-related withdrawal syndrome, which is precipitated in the chronic alcoholic who are suddenly deprived of alcohol because of traumatic injury or other diseases. About 5 % of alcoholics show evidence of severe withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms begin within 1 to 3 days after stopping ethanol intake. These include a state of confusion sometimes accompanied by visual, tactile, or auditory hallucinations. The diagnosis is made when the course progresses beyond the usual symptoms of withdrawal to include confusion, severe agitation, and generalized seizures. The likelihood of developing severe withdrawal symptoms increases with concomitant infections or medical problems, a prior history of withdrawal seizures of DTs, and higher quantity and frequency of drinking. Most periods of severe withdrawal begin and end abruptly, rarely lasting longer than 3 to 5 days. The mortality risk for DTs is quite low but increases with preexisting medical illnesses or organ system failure. We experienced a case of DTs associated with fracture of mandible. The patient was a 36-years-old male who was admitted to our hospital via emergency room after suffering from a traffic accident. He developed DTs 3 days after admission and eventually expired. The report of a case and review of literatures are as follows.

Keyword

alcoholic withdrawal syndrome; delirium tremens; mandible fracture

MeSH Terms

Accidents, Traffic
Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium*
Alcoholics
Delirium*
Diagnosis
Dihydroergotamine
Drinking
Emergency Service, Hospital
Ethanol
Hallucinations
Humans
Male
Mandible*
Mortality
Seizures
Substance Withdrawal Syndrome
Dihydroergotamine
Ethanol