Cephalic tetanus: A rare case report


BAĞCI Z.

Journal of Tropical Pediatrics, cilt.66, sa.5, ss.549-552, 2020 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 66 Sayı: 5
  • Basım Tarihi: 2020
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1093/tropej/fmaa004
  • Dergi Adı: Journal of Tropical Pediatrics
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, PASCAL, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, CAB Abstracts, CINAHL, EMBASE, Index Islamicus, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.549-552
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: cephalic tetanus, child, cheek mucosa
  • Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Introduction: Tetanus is a preventable infectious disease with vaccination. Cephalic tetanus is the rarest form in which local tetanus can involve the cranial nerves. Case: Herein, we report a case of cephalic tetanus in a 16-month-old girl who had never been vaccinated. The patient, who had a complaint of a wound on the cheek mucosa for 2 weeks, was seen playing with the soil in the garden 1 week ago and was found to have abundant soil removed by her mother. The patient was diagnosed as cephalic tetanus according to her complaints and clinical findings. Discussion: We believe that, this is the first case reported in the literature of cephalic tetanus in such a young child wherein the disease focus of infection from a wound on the cheek mucosa. The symptom we defined as ‘a child who cries when she smiles’ presented in this case could only be associated with this disease. Conclusion: In addition to detailed anamnesis and meticulous physical examination, the clinical symptoms that we have described for the first time in a child with cephalic tetanus should also be considered for early and accurate diagnosis.