Tetanus with multiple wedge vertebral collapses: A case report in a 13 year old girl

Nte, AR; Gabriel-Job, Nneka

doi:10.4314/njp.v40i2.17

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 7 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…1 A 13-year-old girl presented with active tetanus and multiple collapses of the 3rd-6th thoracic vertebrae that were confirmed due to tetanus. 8 Recent findings showed no significant difference in functional outcome between surgery and conservative treatment in uncomplicated case of spinal TB. However, surgery remains the preferred mode of treatment for this patient with complicated (vertebra deformity) spondylitis TB.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A Rarely Occurring Spinal Fracture Precipitated by Generalized Spasms of Tetanus Patient with Spondylitis Tuberculosis

Huda¹,

Ong²,

Wibisono³

et al. 2022

IMCRJ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background The occurrence of spinal fracture due to tetanus nowadays is extremely rare, as compared to the 1950s, since the widely available anti-tetanus and antispasmodic therapy. The spinal fracture in tetanus patients is usually reported in higher thoracic vertebrae, previously with a rate as high as 57.5%. Spondylitis is the most common form of skeletal tuberculosis (TB) and can cause a spinal fracture. In Indonesia, tetanus is still reported, while tuberculosis is still endemic; however, co-infection of both diseases is rarely reported. Case Presentation A 36-year-old male was brought to our hospital with jaw stiffness, accompanied by fever. A history of dental cavities was present, and 5 days prior, he experienced a fishing hook wound on his right index finger. There was no history of TB. Physical examination showed meningismus, 2 cm trismus, abdominal spasm, opisthotonus, and spontaneous muscle spasms, without dysautonomia. In the third week of hospitalization, while his tetanus condition improved, he complained of weakness in both legs. A thorough history taking revealed a history of backache for 3 years. A wedge-shaped fracture on his 11th and 12th thoracic vertebrae was observed on radiographic examination. A spinal TB diagnosis was made, and treatment was started. He refused to get spinal surgery, then went home with 4 out of 5 motor strength scale. After three months, he returned to his routine activity as a food hawker with no motor deficits. Conclusion Tetanus spinal fracture is extremely rare nowadays; a thorough history of spinal problems/medication is compulsory for anticipation. This patient’s spinal fracture was deemed due to a preexisting TB spinal infection that was precipitated by prolonged continuous tetanic spasm due to general tetanus.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“… 1 A 13-year-old girl presented with active tetanus and multiple collapses of the 3rd-6th thoracic vertebrae that were confirmed due to tetanus. 8 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%