J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  1998 Jun;9(2):347-351.

A Case Report and Review of Tetanus

• Kim DP
• Ahn HY
• Kim MC
• Won HS
• Ko YG

Abstract

Tetanus is a rare disease in the developed countries, including Korea, as a result of nearly universal active immunization. Because many physicians have little experience with its diagnosis and management, misdiagnosis and therapeutic delay may result in catastrophic consequences. We report one case of generalized tetanus. A previously healthy 35-year-old man was admitted to the emergency department because of stiffness on jaw and neck. board-like abdomen, extended and rigid both legs, chest tightness, and dyspnea. Seven days before admission, he was injured on the right thing at work. In the emergency department, he was given 5,000 units of human tetanus immunoglobulin intramuscularly, as well as diazepam 2 mg/hr intravenously. On the second hospital day, tracheostomy was performed. Ten days later, his condition was improved. Twenty eight days after admission, he was discharged without any complication.

MeSH Terms

Abdomen
Adult
Developed Countries
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Errors
Diazepam
Dyspnea
Emergency Service, Hospital
Humans
Immunoglobulins
Jaw
Korea
Leg
Neck
Rare Diseases
Tetanus*
Thorax
Tracheostomy
Vaccination
Diazepam
Immunoglobulins