Post Herpetic Osteonecrosis of the Maxilla

Abstract

Herpes Zoster (HZ) is caused by the secondary reactivation of Varicella Zoster virus. It is characterised by presence of severe pain and unilateral vesicles along the distribution of the affected nerve. Osteonecrosis is one of the rare complications of Herpes Zoster which is seen after the acute phase of the illness has subsided. We report a case of osteonecrosis of the maxilla in 35-years–old female. The subject gave a history of Herpes Zoster of the maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve. After healing of the lesions, she then developed osteonecrosis of the maxilla. Further investigations revealed her HIV positive status. The clinical features, pathogenesis and management of this rare condition are described. Further, the occurrence of HZ induced osteonecrosis lead to the diagnosis of HIV in the present case.

Keywords

• herpes zoster
• osteonecrosis
• maxilla