An unusual presentation of herpes zoster ophthalmicus: Orbital myositis preceding vesicular eruption

PURPOSE. To present a case of orbital myositis associated with herpes zoster ophthalmicus. DESIGN: Observational case report. METHODS: A 47-year-old woman with acute retrobulbar eye pain and diplopia preceding the vesicular rash of herpes zoster ophthalmicus was evaluated and treated. RESULTS: Magnetic resonance imaging showed enlargement and enhancement of extraocular muscles consistent with an inflammatory myopathy. Following acyclovir and prednisone treatment, all symptoms resolved, and neuralgia did not develop. CONCLUSIONS: Herpes zoster may cause symptoms and signs of orbital myositis before eruption of cutaneous skin lesions and thus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an acute orbital myositis. (C) 2003 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.