J Korean Acad Conserv Dent.  2008 Sep;33(5):452-456. 10.5395/JKACD.2008.33.5.452.

Clinical diagnosis of herpes zoster presenting as odontogenic pain

• Yang SH
• Jung DH
• Lee HD
• Lee Y
• Chang HS
• Min KS

• KMID: 1986783
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5395/JKACD.2008.33.5.452

Abstract

Herpes zoster, an acute viral infection produced by the varicella zoster virus, may affect any of the trigeminal branches. This case report presents a patient with symptoms mimicking odontogenic pain. No obvious cause of the symptoms could be found based on clinical and radiographic examinations. After a dermatologist made a diagnosis of herpes zoster involving the third trigeminal branch, the patient was given antiviral therapy. Two months later, the facial lesions and pain had almost disappeared, and residual pigmented scars were present. During the diagnostic process, clinicians should keep in mind the possibility that orofacial pain might be related to herpes zoster.

Keyword

Herpes zoster; Trigeminal nerve; Odontogenic pain

MeSH Terms

Cicatrix
Facial Pain
Herpes Zoster
Herpesvirus 3, Human
Humans
Trigeminal Nerve

Figure

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  Figure 1 Normal periapical radiograph of lower right first premolar and first and second molars. First and second molar have gold restorations.

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  Figure 2 Panoramic radiograph showing no specific pathosis on the lower left molar area.

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  Figure 3 (A) Three days after the initial visit: extraoral lesions or rash show the distribution of the involved nerve. (B) Two months after the dermatological referral, no rash is present but pigmented scars can be seen on the lower right facial area.

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