Differential Diagnosis

The radiological findings in the spine are likely only to be confused with similar fractures which occur during electroconvulsive shock therapy. Clinically, tetanus must be differentiated from epilepsy, rabies, hysteria, meningitis, and strychnine poisoning. Coma, with rib and hip injuries in small children, might prompt a search for other evidence of abuse. But, in many patients, the multiple spinal compression injuries will be a chance finding and some patients may not know that they have had tetanus during childhood.