Unusual presentation of orbital compartment syndrome due to complicated herpes zoster ophthalmicus: A case report

Abstract

Herpesvirus reactivates from a latent infection in older adults and critically ill and immunocompromised individuals. Herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) is a latent infection that affects the fifth cranial nerve. It is an infrequent cause of increased intraocular pressure. We present the case of a 50-year-old man with a reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus infection involving the ophthalmic branch of the fifth cranial nerve. The patient was initially managed as an outpatient with an antiviral, but his clinical evolution worsened and required urgent surgical decompression. Lateral canthotomy was performed with cantholysis of the inferior crus of the lateral canthal tendon. Only partial decompression was achieved, so cantholysis of the upper crus was performed with significant tissue tension release. The patient evolved well and was discharged after 6 days without symptoms for outpatient management.