Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia with Anti-viral Therapy for Zoster: A Case Report

Abstract

Varicella zoster virus can infect the trigeminal ganglion, but viral infection is not frequently considered as a cause of trigeminal neuralgia. This is a case of a woman whose trigeminal neuralgia remitted after being treated with valacyclovir for a thoracic zoster rash and later resolved entirely following administration of the zoster vaccine. Successful treatment of trigeminal neuralgia with anti-viral therapies has not previously been reported. Zoster vaccination is currently recommended for adults over age 60, so patients with trigeminal neuralgia, especially those over the age of 60, should be encouraged to receive the varicella zoster vaccine.