Laryngeal zoster with multiple cranial nerve palsies.

A young immunocompetent patient is presented with a very rare presentation of a common viral illness: herpes zoster of the left hemilarynx with sensorial and motoric neuropathy of three ipsilateral lower cranial nerves: IX, X and XI. The mucosal lesions were discovered during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. PCR of erosional exsudate confirmed the clinical diagnosis. Antiviral therapy and corticosteroids possibly contributed to the prosperous evolution with complete healing.