Dilantin toxicity presenting as mutism following severe head injury: case report.

Abstract

A case is presented in which a patient was placed on phenytoin following open depressed skull fracture. He subsequently was lost to follow-up, and then presented with several complaints, among them mutism, found to be related to phenytoin toxicity. There are no reports to date of this condition being caused by phenytoin. The issue is again raised of the risk versus benefits of long-term anticonvulsant prophylaxis following severe head injury.

• Authors: T Berigan, T J Watt
• Journal: Military medicine (Mil Med) Vol. 159 Issue 7 Pg. 533-4 (Jul 1994) ISSN: 0026-4075 [Print] England
• PMID: 7816230 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Phenytoin

Topics

• Adolescent
• Craniotomy
• Humans
• Male
• Mutism (chemically induced)
• Phenytoin (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Premedication
• Seizures (prevention & control)
• Skull Fractures (surgery)