Misleading bilateral blink reflex loss in a severe tetanus case

Clin Case Rep. 2016 Dec 28;5(2):85-88. doi: 10.1002/ccr3.772. eCollection 2017 Feb.

Abstract

Tetanus is rare and often forgotten in the diagnostic workup. The diagnosis is mainly based on typical clinical symptoms, because of missing sensitive paraclinical test. As described in our case, a missing bilateral blink reflex may occur in severe tetanus, which should not lead to the rejection of the diagnosis.

Keywords: Blink reflex; magnesium sulfate; masseter inhibitory reflex; neurophysiology; silent period; tetanus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports