Herpes Simplex Encephalitis Presenting with Isolated Ninth Cranial Nerve Palsy: A Case Report

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus is the most common cause of acute sporadic viral encephalitis. Mortality is over 70% in untreated cases. Clinical diagnosis of the disease is difficult. Routine laboratory results are generally nonspecific. Here, we consider the present case worthy to be presented because we demonstrated for the first time that herpes simplex encephalitis may manifest with isolated ninth cranial nerve palsy based on a patient, who presented at the age of 27 years with dysphagia and loss of sense of taste, had MRI and EEG findings consistent with herpes encephalitis, and improved with acyclovir therapy without complication.