MyMedR

Case Report: A Challenging Case of Tetanus Presenting with Headache

Rahim AIA, Azlan EAM, Rahman MR, Pathi NM, Ismail M, Sulaiman WAW

Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2023 Dec 06;109(6):1242-1244.

PMID: 37955309 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0035

Tetanus is a life-threatening infectious neurological condition that has become uncommon due to large-scale immunization campaigns. We describe a rare instance of generalized tetanus presenting with a headache on a tropical island in Malaysia. A 43-year-old woman presenting with headaches and generalized body weakness, which progressed into trismus and neck stiffness. Her medical history indicated a wound on the sole of her foot caused by shattered glass in an unhygienic area, but no tetanus prophylaxis had been administered. The patient was subsequently given immunoglobulin, tetanus toxoid, metronidazole, and sedatives in the recommended dosages. Her neurological condition improved remarkably, but she suffered blood pressure fluctuations due to dysautonomia. She was successfully discharged with complete recovery after 6 months of follow-up. The case demonstrates the significance of appropriate identification and care of tetanus, as well as the lethal effects of untreated wounds in vulnerable patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Trismus/complications; Trismus/drug therapy

Osteoma of the condyle as the cause of limited-mouth opening: a case report

Siar CH, Jalil AA, Ram S, Ng KH

J Oral Sci, 2004 Mar;46(1):51-3.

PMID: 15141724

Osteoma is a benign tumour consisting of mature bone tissue. It is an uncommon lesion that occurs mainly in the bones of the craniofacial complex. Only a few cases involving the condylar process have been reported. An osteoma of the left condyle causing limited mouth-opening in a 32-year-old Malaysian Chinese female is reported here to alert the practitioner to consider this lesion as a diagnostic possibility in instances of trismus or limited-mouth opening.

Matched MeSH terms: Trismus/etiology*

Fulltext Secrets to a successful awake fibreoptic intubation (AFOI) on a patient with odentogenous abscess

Teah MK, Liew EHR, Wong MTF, Yeap TB

BMJ Case Rep, 2021 Feb 19;14(2).

PMID: 33608338 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2020-238600

Awake fibreoptic intubation (AFOI) is an established modality in patients with anticipated difficulty with tracheal intubation. This case demonstrates that with careful and meticulous preparations, AFOI can lead to improved airway management and excellent patient outcomes. A 38-year-old woman presented with severe trismus secondary to odentogenous abscess was identified preoperatively as having a potential difficult airway. AFOI was performed successfully using combined Spray-As-You-Go and dexmedetomidine technique.

Matched MeSH terms: Trismus/complications*

Fulltext Ludwig's angina: the importance of oral cavity examination in patients with a neck mass

Mohamad I, Zulkifli S, Soleh M, Rahman R

Malays Fam Physician, 2012;7(2-3):51-3.

PMID: 25606258 MyJurnal

Neck mass is a common condition in primary care. The most common affected area is the cervical lymph node. The neck region is also prone infection as structurally the nodes and spaces are in close contact with the upper respiratory tract and the alimentary tract. Oral cavity is one of the most common route for harbouring infection. Poor oral hygeine and periapical dental problems are the main causes. Thus, it is important to perform a complete oral cavity examination even when trismus is present. Besides dental caries, floor of the mouth should be inspected for oedema that may impose threat to the upper airway. We report a case of Ludwig's angina originating from a periapical lesion of the lower molar stressing the importance of oral examination in patient with neck mass.

Matched MeSH terms: Trismus

Fulltext Peritonsillar swelling is not always quinsy

Mohamad I, Yaroko A

Malays Fam Physician, 2013;8(2):53-5.

PMID: 25606284 MyJurnal

Quinsy is a common encounter in family physician practice. It is defined as a collection of purulent material in the peritonsillar space, giving appearance of unilateral palatal bulge. Presenting symptoms include trismus, muffled voice, odynophagia, and ipsilateral otalgia. When the diagnostic needle aspiration reveals no pus, the diagnosis is changed into peritonsillar cellulitis or also known as perintonsillitis. Peritonsillitis is sufficiently treated with antibiotics unlike a quinsy which warrants surgical incision and drainage.

Matched MeSH terms: Trismus

Fulltext Bilateral peritonsillar abscess: A rare emergency

Boon C, Wan Mohamad WE, Mohamad I

Malays Fam Physician, 2018;13(1):41-44.

PMID: 29796210 MyJurnal

Peritonsillar abscess, or quinsy, is a rare complication of acute tonsillitis. It usually presents with odynophagia, trismus, and muffled voice, reflecting the space-occupying lesion in the oral cavity. Examination reveals a unilateral swelling on either side of the soft palate, which drains thick pus after an incision is made. It is regarded as an emergency as an upper airway obstruction can develop. Bilateral peritonsillar abscess is a rare presentation and results in catastrophic sequelae. We present a case of bilateral peritonsillar abscess that was initially referred by a primary care centre facing a dilemma in diagnosis. Prompt diagnosis and fast drainage are warranted to avoid unwanted morbidity, and, also, mortality.

Matched MeSH terms: Trismus

Superficial cervical plexus block combined with auriculotemporal nerve block for drainage of dental abscess in adults with difficult airways

Ling KU, Hasan MS, Ha KO, Wang CY

Anaesth Intensive Care, 2009 Jan;37(1):124-6.

PMID: 19157359

We report our use of a superficial cervical plexus block to manage three adults who presented for drainage of dental abscesses. All patients had difficult airways related to severe trismus (preoperative inter-incisor distance < or = 1.5 cm). The first two patients, whose abcesses involved both the submandibular and submasseteric spaces, were managed with combined superficial cervical plexus and auriculotemporal nerve block. In a third patient, a superficial cervical plexus block alone was sufficient because the abscess was confined to the submandibular region. The blocks were successful in all three cases with minimal requirement for supplemental analgesia. We recommend the consideration of superficial cervical plexus block, and if necessary an auriculotemporal nerve block, for the management of selected patients with difficult airways who present for drainage of dental abcesses.

Matched MeSH terms: Trismus/complications

Fulltext Do Corticosteroids Still Have a Role in the Management of Third Molar Surgery?

Ngeow WC, Lim D

Adv Ther, 2016 Jul;33(7):1105-39.

PMID: 27287853 DOI: 10.1007/s12325-016-0357-y

INTRODUCTION: The use of corticosteroids to reduce the post-operative sequelae of lower third molar surgery, namely pain, swelling and trismus, has been well studied by many researchers over the past 6 decades. This study reviewed the reported outcome of corticosteroids used in controlling the above sequalae after third molar surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A PubMed, Medline, EMBASE and Google search was undertaken of all controlled clinical trials on the effects of corticosteroids on pain, swelling and trismus after lower third molar surgery. The review was limited to studies published over the last 10 years (2006-2015).

RESULTS: Of the 46 initially retrieved articles, 34 were finally included. Eleven studies compared the effect of 2 similar (but different dose) or different group of corticosteroids. Thirty-one studies reported the effects of corticosteroids on all sequale, 2 reported the outcome on swelling and trismus and another 1 on swelling and pain only. In 16 of the studies, corticosteroid use resulted in significant reductions in pain after third molar removal. Twenty-two out of 29 studies reported reduced swelling against negative control while 18 out of 25 studies reported improved mouth opening. Fourteen studies reported the benefit of corticosteroids on all 3 sequelae, with 71.4% resulted from the use of methylprednisolone.

CONCLUSION: Although there are some conflicting effects, the results of this analysis shows in general the benefits derived from short-term use of corticosteroids in relation to pain, swelling and trismus following third molar surgical extraction, with no side effects observed.

FUNDING: This work was supported by the University of Malaya's High Impact Research grant UM.C/625/1/HIR/MOHE/05.

Matched MeSH terms: Trismus/prevention & control*

Fulltext Atraumatic trismus induced by duloxetine: an uncommon presentation of acute dystonia

Ohn MH, Loo JL, Ohn KM

BMJ Case Rep, 2021 Feb 04;14(2).

PMID: 33542006 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2020-237065

Atraumatic trismus can be one of the presentations of medication-induced acute dystonia, particularly by antipsychotics and less commonly antidepressants. A case of an unusual emergency presentation of atraumatic trismus on initiation of duloxetine is reported. The patient was a 40-year-old woman experiencing sudden difficulty in mouth opening and speaking due to a stiffened jaw after taking 5 days of duloxetine prescribed for her fibromyalgia-related chest pain. Assessment of vital signs is prudent to ensure there is no laryngeal involvement. Other physical examinations and her recent investigations were unremarkable. She was treated for acute dystonia and intravenous procyclidine was given together with oral diazepam. Her symptoms improved immediately and her duloxetine was suggested to be stopped. To our knowledge, this is the first case of isolated trismus induced by duloxetine. Clinicians should be aware of this risk, especially considering the limitation of important physiological functions (such as swallowing, eating, etc) associated with this condition.

Matched MeSH terms: Trismus/chemically induced*

Fulltext Anaesthetists' nightmare: masseter spasm after induction in an undiagnosed case of myotonia congenita

Looi I, Bakar AAA, Lim CH, Khoo TH, Samuel PE

Med J Malaysia, 2008 Dec;63(5):423-5.

PMID: 19803309

We report an undiagnosed case of myotonia congenita in a 24-year-old previously healthy primigravida, who developed life threatening masseter spasm following a standard dose of intravenous suxamethonium for induction of anaesthesia. Neither the patient nor the anaesthetist was aware of the diagnosis before this potentially lethal complication occurred.

Matched MeSH terms: Trismus/chemically induced*; Trismus/diagnosis

Fulltext Impacted mandibular third molars among patients attending Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia

Rosfaima Othman Jaffar, Tin-Oo M.M.

Archives of Orofacial Sciences, 2009;4(1):7-12.

MyJurnal

The aim of this study was to identify the position of impacted mandibular third molars based on the classifications of Pell & Gregory and Winter, the indications for extraction, and the relation of post-operative complications and position. Records of patients who attended Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia between January and December 2007 for surgical removal of mandibular third molars were reviewed. The angulation type, width and depth of impaction were determined by reviewing the orthopantomograms. The indications of extraction and occurrence of any post- operative complications were recorded. A total of 238 impacted teeth were surgically extracted from 194 patients (97 males, 97 females). The reasons for extraction include recurrent pericoronitis (43.1%) followed by prophylactic purposes (33.5%). Mesioangular impactions accounted for 52.3% and Class IIA position of impaction accounted for 45.7% of extractions. The most common post-operative complication was persistent pain and swelling (14.7%) followed by trismus (4.1%) and dry socket (3.0%). There was no significant relationship between the angulation, width and depth of impaction and the occurrence of complication. Mesioangular type and Class IIA position of impaction were the most common impaction. Although the association was not significant, high frequency of post-operative complications was observed in mesioangular, horizontal, IIA and IIC positions.

Matched MeSH terms: Trismus

Fulltext Awake fibre optic intubation with Dexmedetomidine for Ludwig Angina with severe Trismus

Mohd Zulfakar Mazlan, Nik Abdullah Nik Mohammad, Mohamad Hasyizan Hasan, Irfan Mohamad, Zeti Norfidiyati Salmuna, Roselinda Ab Rahman

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2018;14(2):89-92.

MyJurnal

Ludwig angina is a submandibular space cellulitis secondary to oral cavity infection. It is strongly associated with difficult intubation due to limitation in the mouth opening. The presentation of Ludwig angina varies according to the severity of the infection. The extreme presentations include upper airway obstruction and respiratory failure. We present a female teenager with right submandibular abscess as the consequence of Ludwig angina, who was planned for incision and drainage. Successful awake fibre optic intubation was performed as a method of induction due to trismus, deferring the need for tracheostomy.

Matched MeSH terms: Trismus

Management of ankylosed temporomandibular joint in a young child

Boon LC, Nik-Hussein NN

J Pedod, 1990;14(3):136-8.

PMID: 2081129

Various alloplastic and autogenous tissues have been used in attempts to restore facial height and reconstruct temporomandibular articulation. A case is presented where an ectodermal rib graft was used to reconstruct the temporomandibular joint after arthroplasty in a young child.

Matched MeSH terms: Trismus

Fulltext A malignant looking unilateral enlarged tonsil with fungating surface is not always malignant: a case report

A. B. M. Tofazzal Hossain, Shaila Kabir, Charissa Winston, Loo Yizhan, Sadia Choudhury Shimmi, M. Tanveer Hossain Parash, et al.

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(106):95-95.

MyJurnal

Introduction:A unilateral enlarged tonsil always is a suspicion of carcinoma. Especially if it is with fungating ulcer-ative surface. Neoplasms in unilaterally enlarged tonsil include squamous cell carcinomas and lymphomas. Lym-phomas in oropharynx are not common specially with fungating surface. Usually lymphomas in these areas are Non-Hodgkin’s type. Case description: A 62-year-old woman was admitted in the tertiary level hospital of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, with the complaint of sore throat, odynophagia and right neck swelling. She was treated as a case of acute tonsillitis by general practitioner without any noticeable improvement. Oral cavity examination revealed a hugely enlarged right tonsil with fungating ulcerative surface and almost obstructing the oropharynx. Trismus was seen which make the examination difficult. A non-tender right upper neck swelling was palpable. All baseline lab-oratory investigations were normal. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) showed a heterogeneously enhancing mass at oropharynx compromising the airway, right supraclavicular lymphadenopathy. Histology of biop-sy from right tonsillar mass showed High grade B-cell lymphoma. Chemotherapy was planned. First cycle of chemo-therapy was administered, Patient was discharged home with the complete plan of chemotherapy. Conclusion: This patient was clinically suspicious of carcinoma of palatine tonsil. But later proven as high grade B-cell lymphoma. All unilateral enlarged tonsils are not always carcinoma.

Matched MeSH terms: Trismus

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