A Case of Vagus Nerve Palsy Caused by Herpes Simplex Virus Reactivation

J Korean Assoc EMG Electrodiagn Med 2004;6(2):209-212.
Published online May 10, 2004.

Abstract

Vagus nerve palsy caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) reinfection is rare. A 44-year old man visited hospital due to acute symptom of hoarseness and dysphagia. Laryngoscopy revealed left vocal cord palsy, and videofluoroscopic swallowing study revealed severe dysphagia during pharyngeal phase and electrodiagnostic study showed left recurrent laryngeal neuropathy. Brain and neck MRI, esophageal endoscopy and chest CT showed no localized lesion. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis was normal, but serum HSV IgG antibody titer was elevated. Therefore, we prescribed famciclovir for 7 days, and he showed improvement on hoarseness and dysphagia at discharge.

Key Words: Vagus nerve palsy, Herpes simplex virus, Hoarseness, Dysphagia

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