The anecdotal clinical presentation of OSMF that includes vesicle formation, burning sensation, intolerance to hot and spicy food, and trismus due to circumoral fibrous bands has been ringing in our ears for decades but the current paper flags novelty by portraying a rare presentation of an advanced stage of OSMF.

A 66 year old man was admitted with a left Horner's syndrome, and trismus due to tetanus. Three days later he had respiratory arrests, classical tetanic spasms and was ventilated. He had associated severe autonomic dysfunction, tachyarrhythmias, hypotension, sweating and constipation. There was complete resolution of the left Horner's syndrome with recovery from tetanus.