title: Orbital apex syndrome secondary to herpes zoster virus infection.
abstract: A male patient with herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) presented with left exophthalmos, external and internal ophthalmoplegia and decreased visual acuity. A CT scan revealed myositis without significant compression of the optic nerve. Intravenous acyclovir and oral steroids were started with improvement of the symptoms and eventual complete recovery.Orbital apex syndrome is a rare complication of HZO. Multiple pathogenic mechanisms are involved, including a direct cytopathic effect of the virus as in the present case. Early diagnosis and therapy may lead to complete recovery of visual function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Pio del Rio Hortega University Hospital, Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain.
authors.forename: Alexia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Merino-Iglesias
authors.forename: Javier Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Montero
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Calabuig-Goena
authors.forename: Luisa Fernanda
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Giraldo-Agudelo
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005094:Exophthalmos / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D006563:Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009886:Ophthalmoplegia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D055622:Orbital Myositis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D013577:Syndrome; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000212:Acyclovir; D008775:Methylprednisolone