Vol.99 No.2 contentsPRACTICA OTO-RHINO-LARYNGOLOGICA
Vol. 99 No. 2 February 2006
Two Cases of Varicella Zoster Virus Infection
of Pharynx and Larynx
Hitoshi Tsujie, Akihito Watanabe and Masanobu Taniguti
(Keiyuukai Sapporo Hospital)
We report two cases of varicella zoster virus infection of the pharynx and larynx. The patients were a 69-year-old man who complained of sore throat and a 58-year old woman who complained of left otalgia. Both cases showed white erosive lesions on the hemilateral epiglottis and arytenoid as well as recurrent nerve palsy. Based on hemilaterality and recurrent nerve palsy, we supposed that these patients had varicella zoster virus infection and prescribed Acyclovir. Hematological examination showed a high titer of varicella zoster virus antibody. The male patient lost consciousness and was diagnosed as having meningitis. Both patients recovered by conservative therapy. Physical examination and antibody titer were useful for diagnosis of varicella zoster virus infection.
Key words :varicella zoster virus,
pharyngitis, laryngitis, recurrent nerve palsy