Herpes Zoster in the Oral Cavity

Abstract

Six cases of herpes zoster in the oral cavity are reported. Three cases were affected with severe facial palsy (Hunt syndrome), and the other 3 were trigeminal herpes without facial weakness. Localization of symptoms and lesions was limitted within the distribution of each branch of the nerve on the affected side. Especially, in the cases of facial palsy, vesicular eruptions or erosins overlying only the soft palate (greater petrosal nerve area)and/or anterior two-thirds of tongue (chorda tympani area) were observed. Acyclovir greately reduced the pain and shortened the illness. But this drug was not effective on nerve disturbances, especially on the loss of tasts in the 3 patients with Hunt syndrome.