Simultaneous Occurrence of Chicken Pox and Herpes Zoster with Facial Nerve Palsy in Immunocompetent Patient

Abstract

Patients who earlier suffered from chicken pox may develop herpes zoster (HZ) due to reactivation in dorsal root ganglia. The occurrence of both clinical conditions at the same time is sporadic. Unusual presentation and a belligerent course are seen in immunocompromised hosts. The presence of both HZ and chicken pox in immunocompetent patients is infrequent and incoherent with the present understanding of pathogenesis. Here, we present a case of HZ involving the maxillary division of the right trigeminal nerve with simultaneous occurrence of varicella-zoster and right peripheral facial nerve palsy.