Open AccessReactivation of herpes zoster along the trigeminal nerve with intractable pain after facial trauma: a case report and literature review
Author(s) -
KC Lin,
Che-Chuan Wang,
Kaiyuan Wang,
Yi-Chen Liao,
JinnRung Kuo
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
bmj case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.231
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 1757-790X
DOI - 10.1136/bcr.07.2008.0525
Subject(s) - medicine , trigeminal nerve , trigeminal neuralgia , varicella zoster virus , neuralgia , dermatology , zona , anesthesia , surgery , facial pain , neuropathic pain , virus , viral disease , virology
We report the rare occurrence of herpes zoster reactivation after facial trauma. Herpes zoster appeared in painful groups of distended vesicles containing clear fluid on an erythematous base within the secondary division of the trigeminal nerve. The patient was treated with acyclovir (intravenous, 250 mg, every 8 hours) combined with topical steroids and anti-neuropathic pain medication. The zoster-associated neuralgia subsided gradually 1.5 months after diagnosis. We illustrate this unique case to highlight the fact that reactivation of the varicella zoster virus from childhood chicken pox can reappear at a traumatic site in late adulthood.