Herpes Zoster Oticus Involving Superior And Inferior Vestibular Nerve Without Facial Nerve Palsy

ABSTRACT

Herpes zoster oticus (HZO) is characterized by auricular vesicles, facial palsy and vestibulocochlear dysfunction. The 8th cranial nerve can be most frequently involved. Rarely, it may be associated with the involvement of 5th, 6th, 9th, 11th or 12th cranial nerve. However, only few cases of HZO involving vestibular nerve without facial nerve palsy have been previously reported. We experienced an unusual case of 38-year-old woman who presented with auricular vesicles, otalgia, and vertigo of whilrling nature but not with facial palsy. Vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) and caloric tests that were performed to determine which division of vestibular nerve was involved demonstrated that decreased responses in this case. We report a case of HZO involving superior and inferior vestibular nerve without facial palsy that was confirmed by VEMP and caloric tests with a review of literature.