Journal of Clinical Images and Medical Case Reports
ISSN 2766-7820
Case Report - Open Access, Volume 3
A case of generalized tetanus with classical ‘risus sardonicus’
Mayank Agarwal1*; Shridhar Pattar2; Monika Pathania3; Minakshi Dhar4
1Senior Resident, Department of Internal Medicine, AIIMS Rishikesh, India.
2Junior Resident, Department of Internal Medicine, AIIMS Rishikesh, India.
3Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, AIIMS Rishikesh, India.
4Additional Professor and Head, Department of Internal Medicine, AIIMS Rishikesh, India.
*Corresponding Author : Mayank Agarwal
Senior Resident, Department of Internal Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh-249203, Uttarakhand, India.
Email: [email protected]
Received : Aug 24, 2022
Accepted : Sep 13, 2022
Published : Sep 20, 2022
Archived : www.jcimcr.org
Copyright : © Agarwal M (2022).
Citation: Agarwal M, Pattar S, Pathania M, Dhar M. A case of generalized tetanus with classical ‘risus sardonicus’. J Clin Images Med Case Rep. 2022; 3(9): 2064.
Description
A 50-year-old farmer presented with dysphagia and chest tightness following foot trauma for the last three days. On examination, he had nuchal rigidity, trismus, and hypertonia. A characteristic ‘Risus Sardonicus’ face was noticed (Figure 1). The patient also developed generalized painful spasms and respiratory distress with stridor, following which an urgent tracheostomy was done. Based on clinical presentation, a clinical diagnosis of generalized tetanus was considered. He was given 0.5 ml intramuscular tetanus toxoid and 3000 IU of human tetanus immunoglobulin.
Risus sardonicus is described as an apparent grin due to sustained contraction of the facial muscles causing retraction of the angle of mouth and eyebrows to rise, producing an evil-looking smile. It is a Latin term derived from its resemblance with the facial expressions of the ancient people from the Mediterranean island of Sardinia [1]. It occurs due to the inhibitory effect of tetanospasmin on neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft. Strychnine poisoning mimics tetanus and can have a similar presentation [2].
Although tetanus is rare and mostly limited to neonates, it remains a public health problem in developing countries. The elderly are particularly susceptible because of declining immunity and in adequate vaccination. According to the Expert panel guidelines in India, for adults (18-64 years) who have completed their primary vaccination schedule, a booster dose of tetanus vaccine is indicated once every ten years till the age of 65. For unvaccinated adults, two doses are administered at least four weeks apart, and the third dose is given 6-12 months later [3].
Learning points:
• The diagnosis of tetanus should be clinical, and we should not wait for lab confirmation as it can delay the initiation of treatment which can be lifesaving in such cases.
• Tetanus being a vaccine preventable disease, this case highlights the importance of immunization even after trivial injuries specially in elderly population in rural areas.
References
- Harper D. Etymology of sardonic. Online Etymology Dictionary [Internet]. [cited 2021 Jul 21]. Available from: https://www.etymonline.com/word/sardonic
- Moodley M, David WS, Seay AR. Infectious or Acquired Motor Neuron Diseases. In: Basil T. Darras, H. Royden Jones, Monique M. Ryan, Darryl C. De Vivo, editors. Neuromuscul Disord Infancy, Childhood, Adolesc A Clin Approach. 2nded. Academic Press. 2015; 160–187. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B978012417044500010X
- Guidelines for vaccination in normal adults in India. Indian J Nephrol. 2016; 26: S7. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4928530/