A case of varicella zoster encephalitis with glossopharyngeal and vagus nerve injury as primary manifestation combined with medulla lesion

Abstract

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) can invade the brainstem or brain via the glossopharyngeal, vagus, or facial nerve, resulting in brainstem inflammation or encephalitis. We report the case of a 66-year-old male patient with a primary manifestation of medulla injury of the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves, combined with a medulla lesion, who was misdiagnosed with lateral medullary syndrome. Facial nerve injury and earache subsequently occurred and human herpes virus 3 (VZV) was detected by second-generation sequencing of the cerebrospinal fluid. The final diagnosis was varicella zoster encephalitis, which improved after antiviral therapy.