Article
A case report of sore throat due to herpes zoster of the ninth cranial nerve
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Published: | April 19, 2012 |
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Outline
Abstract
Introduction – Objective: Herpes zoster of the ninth cranial nerve (glossopharyngeal) is usually described in the course of Ramsay hunt syndrome, or in case of multiple cranial nerve palsies. This paper aims at reporting a case of herpes zoster of merely and exclusively the ninth cranial nerve.
Case report: We report of a 69-year old immunocompetent male, who visited the outpatient ward of the ENT Department of the General Hospital of Ikaria almost two years ago. He was complaining of a sore throat to such a degree that he had not swallowed any solid food during the previous week. During standard examination of the oropharynx a lot of small ulcers and vesicles were observed unilaterally on the left side. Indirect laryngoscopy proved the presence of similar findings on the left side of the lingual tonsil and on the upper part of epiglottis. The diagnosis of herpes zoster of the left glossopharyngeal nerve was established. He was administered valacyclovir (1gr 3 times a day) per os for one week. On the second day of the treatment he started feeling better and he was able to swallow solid food. No complications, no recurrence has been observed during a 2-year follow-up.