A Case With Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus Mimicking Delayed Complication of Rhinoplasty

ABSTRACT

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) occurs due to reactivation of dormant varicella zoster virus infection in the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve. Hutchinson’s sign, a herpetic skin lesion in the nasal tip, is a predictor of ocular complications, as the nasal tip area and ocular structure are innervated by the same nasociliary nerve. Patients who present with Hutchinson’s sign should be referred to an ophthalmologist due to possibility of ocular complications. Here, we present a case of a 44-year-old man with HZO that was confused with delayed rhinoplasty complication. The patient presented with nasal tip skin lesions 17 years after undergoing augmentation rhinoplasty. A graft-related infection was suspected due to operation history and skin lesions. However, surgical exploration disclosed no infection or inflammation, and serological tests revealed positive varicella zoster virus immunoglobulin M, and immunoglobulin G, antibodies. Based on these findings, the patient was diagnosed with HZO. Further, the patient received antiviral treatment with famciclovir. The lesions gradually improved with conservative treatment and became almost unrecognizable. Therefore, HZO should be considered when there is an unexplained skin lesion at the nasal tip in patients with history of rhinoplasty.