Paresis of the vagus and accessory nerve in the course of the herpes zoster

• Published in: Otolaryngologia Polska Vol. 60; no. 4; p. 611
• Main Authors: Dabrowska, Anna, Tarnowska, Czesława, Jałowiński, Robert, Amernik, Katarzyna, Stankiewicz, Jan, Grzelec, Halina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Polish
• Published: Poland 2006
• Subjects: Accessory Nerve - virology; Acyclovir - therapeutic use; Ceftriaxone - therapeutic use; Herpes Zoster - complications; Herpes Zoster - diagnosis; Herpes Zoster - drug therapy; Herpesvirus 3, Human - drug effects; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Paresis - virology; Treatment Outcome; Vagus Nerve - virology; Vocal Cord Paralysis - virology
• ISSN: 0030-6657

The cephalic zoster is a cranial neuritis, with great tendency to diffusion along the nerves. The objective of this article is both to report a case of cranial polineuritis due to herpes zoster infection with laryngeal involvement and review of the relevant literature.
The case of 57-years-old man with unilateral laryngeal mucosal eruptions and complete left vocal paralysis is reported. Laryngeal symptoms, diagnostic criteria and therapeutic result are described.
1. In cases of head and neck herpes zoster, the investigations of all cranial nerves should be carried out, and the larynx must always be examinated; 2. Co-occurrence of the neuralgic pain (radiating especially to the ear or the occipital region) with unilateral laryngeal palsy should raise a suspicion that herpes zoster infection may by the causative factor; 3. The explanation of the etiologic cause of a vocal fold paralysis in idiopathic cases, may yield not only diagnostic, but also therapeutic value.