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Background <p>Tetanus remains a rare but potentially fatal disease, typically associated with traumatic wounds. However, necrotic malignancies such as fungating breast tumors may also serve as an entry point for&#xa0;<i>Clostridium tetani</i>&#xa0;infection.</p> Case presentation <p>We report the case of a 58-year-old female with a 3-year history of a fungating left breast mass who presented with trismus. A diagnosis of tetanus was made clinically. The patient received treatment with anti-tetanus globulin, metronidazole, and she was placed in a dark room with sound insulation and shielding. The surgical team was consulted for wound management. However, in accordance with the patient’s refusal, surgical debridement was not performed. Instead, local wound cleansing and supportive management were initiated.</p> Conclusions <p>Tetanus should be considered in patients with necrotic tumors presenting with trismus, especially in low-resource settings where immunization histories are uncertain. Early intervention is crucial to reduce morbidity and prevent complications.</p>

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Clinically diagnosed tetanus in a 58-year-old female with breast fungating mass

  • 期刊论文

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月19日

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  • Maria Fe R. Cruz,
  • Chris Smith,
  • Kensuke Takahashi,
  • Su Myat Han,
  • Jeffrey A. Verona

摘要

Background

Tetanus remains a rare but potentially fatal disease, typically associated with traumatic wounds. However, necrotic malignancies such as fungating breast tumors may also serve as an entry point for Clostridium tetani infection.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 58-year-old female with a 3-year history of a fungating left breast mass who presented with trismus. A diagnosis of tetanus was made clinically. The patient received treatment with anti-tetanus globulin, metronidazole, and she was placed in a dark room with sound insulation and shielding. The surgical team was consulted for wound management. However, in accordance with the patient’s refusal, surgical debridement was not performed. Instead, local wound cleansing and supportive management were initiated.

Conclusions

Tetanus should be considered in patients with necrotic tumors presenting with trismus, especially in low-resource settings where immunization histories are uncertain. Early intervention is crucial to reduce morbidity and prevent complications.