Making an objective diagnosis of tetanus - Utility of a simple neurophysiological test

Tetanus remains a significant cause of mortality especially in the developing world. Early diagnosis and institution of treatment is critical to prevent fatal complications. The diagnosis is made on clinical grounds, which may sometimes be difficult, especially in case of localised tetanus. Being able to diagnose tetanus objectively is invaluable in such cases. In this regard, masseter inhibitory reflex (MIR) is a simple neurophysiological test that can be performed at the bedside. Herein, we report a case of craniocervical tetanus that was objectively diagnosed using MIR and adequately treated.