Zoster Laryngitis with Multiple Cranial Nerve Palsy Progressed as Ascending Involvement

Background Herpes zoster of the head and neck commonly presents with Ramsay Hunt syndrome. However, vesicular eruptions may occur on the pharyngeal or laryngeal area with multiple lower cranial-nerve (CN) palsy. Case Report We report on the case of a 54-year-old man with herpes zoster of the pharynx...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Woosub Hwang, Da-Eun Jeong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Korean Neurocritical Care Society 2018-06-01
Series:Journal of Neurocritical Care
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.e-jnc.org/upload/pdf/jnc-180054.pdf
Description
Summary:Background Herpes zoster of the head and neck commonly presents with Ramsay Hunt syndrome. However, vesicular eruptions may occur on the pharyngeal or laryngeal area with multiple lower cranial-nerve (CN) palsy. Case Report We report on the case of a 54-year-old man with herpes zoster of the pharynx and larynx with multiple CN palsy and persistent hiccups. He initially developed progressive dysphagia, hoarseness, and persistent hiccups (CN IX and X). After admission, Dizziness, hearing impairment, and peripheral facial palsy (CN VII and VIII) were complicated. The results of a polymerase chain reaction test of saliva and vesicular fluid from the ear and throat were strongly positive for varicella zoster virus. The progression of CN palsy was in an ascending sequence. Conclusion We suggest that the sequence of CN palsy may be either ascending or descending, depending on the initial site of involvement.
ISSN:2005-0348
2508-1349