Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus in Minor Facial Burn

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Many conditions can mimic the presentation of burns. Herpes zoster is one of them. The characteristic features of herpes zoster such as vesicles, pustular lesions and crusts can also be found in burns. Herpes zoster ophthalmicus is a disease caused by recurrent infection of varicella-zoster virus in the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve. This virus frequently affects nasociliary branch and serious ocular complications can occur. Thus, early diagnosis and proper treatment of this disease is important to prevent further ocular manifestations. We report a man who sustained minor facial burn injury that was complicated with herpes zoster ophthalmicus. METHODS: A 66-year-old man visited emergency room with multiple whitish vesicles with serous discharge on right forehead, right medial canthal area and nose. Firstly he was observed as having a secondary infection of facial burn injury. The vesicles on his face began to form crust the next day. Since his skin lesion was located on the ophthalmic division of trigeminal nerve, we also suspected herpes zoster ophthalmicus. He was referred to dermatologist and ophthalmologist. RESULTS: We used antiviral agent (Acyclovir) and NSAIDs for treatment. The patient had no ocular complications. His skin lesion was almost healed after 1 month and remained scars. We treated the patient with minor facial burn complicated with herpes zoster ophthalmicus with antiviral agent. CONCLUSION: In this work, we describe a case of an old patient with herpetic infection and emphasize the needs for careful examination to diagnose accurately.