2011 Volume 62 Issue 1 Pages 17-23
We experienced six cases of laryngeal herpes zoster between July 2007 and March 2010. Anti-varicella zoster virus (VZV) antibodies were measured at the initial visit and two to three weeks later, and all six cases showed a significant increase in anti-VZV-IgG antibody values. All patients complained of pain such as sore throat or swallowing pain. Four patients had associated laryngeal paralysis and two had facial paralysis. Two patients with associated laryngeal paralysis showed no typical enanthems in the larynx or pharynx and were diagnosed as zoster sine herpete by virological assay. All patients were administered an anti-viral agent and steroid. Nerve disorders were completely recovered in four patients. In one patient, however, vocal cord paralysis was left at six months after onset. In cases of associated laryngeal paralysis with sore throat or swallowing pain, VZV infection should be considered as a differential diagnosis and early treatment with anti-viral agent and steroid should be performed. For a definitive diagnosis, anti-VZV antibodies should be measured using paired sera obtained at the initial visit and two to three weeks later.