Herpes zoster of left maxillarydivision of trigeminal nerve- a case report

Herpes zoster or ‘shingles’ is a painful vesicular rash resulting from reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus that also causes chickenpox as primary infection. The incidence of HZ infection (HZI) increases with age and the degree of immunosuppression. Herpes zoster of the trigeminal nerve is a clinical entity consisting of erythematous macules, papules, vesicles, bullae, small ulcers and erythematous plaques in the dermatome supplied by the involved nerve, with characteristic short acute/pre-eruptive phases and long herpetic periods with pain. During the prodromal stage of infection of V2 or V3, the only presenting symptom may be odontalgia, which may prove to be a diagnostic challenge for the dentist.In the present article we report a case of herpes zoster infection in a 46 years old female involving left maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve and the article also focuses on the pathogenesis, clinical picture, diagnosis, complications and management of such cases.