title: Tetanus: an uncommon cause of dysphagia.
abstract: A 53-year-old woman was examined at our medical center because of progressive dysphagia of 14 days' duration and a severe inability to open her mouth and swallow saliva. A barium esophagogram showed no obstruction, but pooling of barium in the hypopharynx suggested a neuromuscular disorder. The clinical diagnosis of tetanus was confirmed by electromyography. With appropriate therapy, the patient recovered during a period of 6 weeks. This case illustrates both an uncommon cause of dysphagia and an uncommon initial manifestation of tetanus.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Scholz
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Thurber
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Larson
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013742:Tetanus / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D013743:Tetanus Antitoxin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014313:Trismus / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D013743:Tetanus Antitoxin