Abducens Nerve Palsy as a Complication of Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus: A Case Report

Cureus. 2022 Mar 7;14(3):e22920. doi: 10.7759/cureus.22920. eCollection 2022 Mar.

Abstract

Herpes zoster (shingles) is a common viral infection that results from the reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which remains dormant in sensory ganglia after initial infection. The usual presentation is radicular pain followed by eruption of vesicular rash. herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) is defined as the involvement of ophthalmic division (V1) of the trigeminal nerve (V). Extraocular muscle paralysis is a rare complication of HZO. Here, we report a case of HZO that developed abducens nerve (VI) palsy and secondary raised intra-ocular pressure.

Keywords: abducens nerve palsy; herpes zoster; herpes zoster ophthalmicus; ophthalmoplegia; sixth cranial nerve palsy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports