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Making of Acute Abdominal Crisis

CAPT ROGER C. BRESLAU, USAF (MC)

AMA Arch Surg. 1965;90(2):261-265.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

THORACOABDOMINAL tetanus, a form first described by Marie¹ in 1916, represents the rarest manifestation of infection due to Clostridium tetani. Approximately a dozen cases with predominantly truncal localization have been documented in the world literature. Proper diagnosis is complicated by the marked similarity between the presenting manifestations and those accompanying common causes of peritonitis. In the absence of involvement of muscle groups other than those of the abdominal wall and trunk, the differential diagnosis must include all possible causes of an "acute abdomen." As a corollary, the established presence of thoracoabdominal tetanus with persistent rigidity of the abdominal wall musculature may mask the development of an acute intra-abdominal process. The case to be reported represents a unique instance, in which an acute surgical crisis supervened unrecognized in the setting of thoracoabdominal tetanus, and resulted ultimately in the patient's demise.

Report of a Case

SMH No. 459823.—A 55-year-old white, . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

Author Affiliations
ROCHESTER, NY

From the Department of Surgery, University of Rochester Medical Center. Chief Resident Surgeon and Instructor in Surgery.

Footnotes
Submitted for publication Sept 17, 1964.

Reprint requests to 260 Crittenden Blvd, Rochester, NY 14620.

The contents of this paper reflect the personal views of the author, and may not be construed to represent official policies of the Department of the Air Force.

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