title: [Hypogeusia and High Signals in the Nuclei of the Solitary Tract on MRI due to Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection: A Case Report].
abstract: A 63-year-old man noticed hypogeusia after presenting hiccups for several days. He was serologically diagnosed with varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection, but had no skin lesions typical of herpes (zoster sine herpete). Hypogeusia was confirmed by electrogustometry and the filter-paper disk method, which showed damage in the areas innervated by the cord of tympanum, glossopharyngeal nerve, and greater petrosal nerve. High signals in the nuclei of the solitary tract of the medulla oblongata and the enhancement of the bilateral intracranial segments of the cranial nerve IX and X complex were observed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The signal changes in the nuclei of the solitary tract on MRI were seen for more than 2 months, and hypogeusia lasted for more than 7 months. Hypogeusia caused by VZV infection has rarely been reported; however, similar cases could have gone undiagnosed or underdiagnosed in patients with idiopathic hypogeusia. (Received August 18, 2016; Accepted September 29, 2016; Published February 1, 2017).
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Brain Attack Center Ota Memorial Hospital.
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shiga
authors.forename: Yuhei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kanaya
authors.forename: Shinichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takeshima
authors.forename: Yutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shimoe
authors.forename: Akio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Masaru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kuriyama
mesh_terms: D000370:Ageusia / Q000821:virology*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D031368:Zoster Sine Herpete / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents