Introduction:

Cranial nerve involvement is one of the complications of varicella-zoster virus reactivation; however, presenting complete ophthalmoplegia is unusual.

Objective:

To describe the case of an immunocompetent adult who developed an infectious ophthalmoplegia due to varicella-zoster virus reactivation.

Clinical case:

The patient presented complete alteration of the extraocular muscle motility of the left eye with pupillary reflex compromise, decrease in visual acuity and concomitant trigeminal neuralgia. The patient did not present signs or symptoms suggestive of encephalitis or meningitis. Days before the ophthalmoplegia, vesicles appeared in the left frontal and periorbital regions. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination with FilmArray® meningitis/encephalitis panel documented positivity for varicella-zoster virus only. The patient was treated with acyclovir, steroids and neuromodulators, resulting in partial improvement of his symptoms after two weeks. The discussion was based on the few case reports found in different databases.

Conclusions:

This case broadens the clinical and therapeutic understanding of an unusual manifestation of this common disease, which combines pathologic involvement of several cranial nerves due to varicella-zoster virus reactivation.

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