Herpes zoster oticus, neural invasion of virus: a case report and review of literature

Herpes zoster (HZ) is an acute reactivation of dormant varicella zoster virus. The virus lies dormant in the sensory ganglia from a prior infection of chickenpox caused by the same virus.(1,2) It predominantly effects middle-aged and elderly (sixth and eighth decades of life). Trigeminal nerve (ophthalmic branch) is most frequently affected (18.5%-22% of total cases). Oral manifestations appear when the second or third division is affected. The most significant complication of HZ infection is post herpetic neuralgia. Other complications include motor nerve palsy, optic neuropathy, blindness, encephalitis, and cutaneous calcinosis.(