Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2007 Jul;50(7):635-638.

Herpes Zoster Oticus with Multiple Cranial Nerve Involvement: 2 Cases

• Lee SH
• Lee JK
• Kwon HJ
• Jin SM

Abstract

Herpes Zoster Oticus is an infectious cranial polyneuropathy caused by varicella zoster, the herpetic virus that also causes chicken pox and shingles. Its symptoms include facial paralysis, ear pain, and an auricular vesicle. This syndrome can affect any cranial nerve and usually affects multiple nerves, causing central, cervical, and peripheral effects. Most commonly affected cranial nerves are facial nerve (VII) and vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII). With a review of literature, we report two rare cases. First case involves cranial nerve VII, VIII, IX, X and second case involves cranial nerve VIII, IX, X, which characteristically does not involve facial nerve.

Keyword

Herpes zoster oticus; Varicella zoster virus; Cranial nerve; Facial palsy

MeSH Terms

Chickenpox
Cranial Nerves*
Ear
Facial Nerve
Facial Paralysis
Herpes Zoster Oticus*
Herpes Zoster*
Herpesvirus 3, Human
Polyneuropathies
Vestibulocochlear Nerve