Korean J Dermatol.  2016 Sep;54(8):646-649.

A Case of Vernet Syndrome due to Varicella Zoster Virus Infection with Skin Lesion Induced by Cervical Segment Involvement

• Hyun MY
• Suh JH
• Park KY
• Seo SJ

Abstract

Vernet syndrome associated with varicella zoster virus (VZV) has been rarely reported. The diagnosis is established based on typical symptoms such as dysphagia, hoarseness, and unilateral difficulty in neck movement. Lack of skin lesions is common and makes it harder to consider VZV infection. A 53-year-old woman presented with left neck pain, dysphagia, hoarseness, and headache, with an erythematous vesicle on her neck. Laryngoscopy revealed paralysis of her left-soft palate and left-vocal cord. Upon cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination, her white blood cell (WBC) count, protein levels, glucose levels, and VZV antibody titer were elevated; moreover, VZV-DNA was detected. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed no sign of brain tumor, aneurysm or fracture. The patient was diagnosed with Vernet syndrome associated with VZV infection, having presented with a skin lesion involving the cervical segment.

Keyword

Vernet syndrome; Varicella-zoster virus; Cervical segment involvement

MeSH Terms

Aneurysm
Brain Neoplasms
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Chickenpox*
Deglutition Disorders
Diagnosis
Female
Glucose
Headache
Herpesvirus 3, Human*
Hoarseness
Humans
Laryngoscopy
Leukocytes
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Middle Aged
Neck
Neck Pain
Palate
Paralysis
Skin*
Glucose