Title: Pneumomediastinum – Uncommon Presentation of Rabies
Authors: Aleena Elizabeth Andrews, Devarajan Ellezhuthil
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v8i11.61
Abstract
Rabies is caused by neurotropic RNA virus of rhabdoviridae family, transmitted mainly through the saliva of infected domestic or wild animals, resulting in incurable, fatal encephalomyelitis. Of the two varieties of its presentation, classical furious form is most often diagnosed readily with features of hydrophobia, aerophobia, aggressive behaviour, whereas the atypical paralytic presentation may pose dilemma in diagnosis.
Here we have a case of an adolescent male admitted for evaluation for agitation, dysphagia, and breathlessness with incidentally detected finding in Computed Tomography of head prompted us to review the chest radiograph, which showed pneumomediastinum.
Keywords: Rabies; Rhabdoviridae; Pneumomediastinum; Encephalomyelitis; Negri bodies.
References
- Zachariah, Sybil Gharahbaghian, Laleh Perera, Phillipsjoshi, Nikita. Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum On Bedside Ultrasound: Case Report And Review Of The Literature [Internet]. [Cited 2020 May 25]. Available From: Https://Www.Ncbi.Nlm.Nih.Gov/Pmc/Articles/Pmc4380390/
- Wang W, Ni Y, Gao K, Lu Q, Li X. Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum Due To Paralytic Rabies. Braz J Infect Dis. 2013 Feb;17(1):94–6.
- Yousaf Mz, Qasim M, Zia S, Rehman Khan M Ur, Ashfaq Ua, Khan S. Rabies Molecular Virology, Diagnosis, Prevention And Treatment. Virol J. 2012 Feb 21;9:50.
- Mahadevan A, Suja Ms, Mani Rs, Shankar Sk. Perspectives In Diagnosis And Treatment Of Rabies Viral Encephalitis: Insights From Pathogenesis. Neurotherapeutics. 2016 Jul;13(3):477–92.
- Co Sj, Mackenzie Ir, Shewchuk Jr. Rabies Encephalitis: Airp Best Cases In Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation. 2015 Jan 1;35(1):235–8.