A survival case of tetanus complicated with disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome in the elderly, rescued by mechanical ventilation and administration of thiamylal

Abstract

A 78-year-old Japanese female was admitted to our hospital because of headache. Trismus, opisthotonus and convulsion appeared in the early morning on the second hospital day. She was diagnosed as tetanus based on these symptoms and the history of trauma on her left hand 6 days ago. A piece of bamboo was extracted from her left hand. However, Clostridium tetani was not identified. Thiamylal and mechanical ventilation were initiated combined with Pancronium, Diazepam and tetanus immune globulin. Gabexate Mesilate was also added for disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome probably associated with rhabdomyolysis. By these treatments, she was healed leaving only a disuse syndrome of her limbs.