Tetanus, pseudotetanus, or conversion disorder: a diagnostic dilemma?
Failure to consider conversion disorder in a patient with acute, tetanus-like symptoms led to unnecessary medical expenditures and delayed appropriate psychiatric intervention. Patients presenting these clinical symptoms need a comprehensive evaluation, with careful attention to details in the psychosocial history. While tetanus is rarely encountered now in the United States, conversion disorder is commonly encountered in both medical and psychiatric populations.
Barnes
V
V
Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida College of Medicine and Health Science Center, Gainesville.
Ware
M R
MR
D000328:Adult; D003291:Conversion Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005152:Facial Muscles; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013035:Spasm / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013742:Tetanus / Q000175:diagnosis*