Purpose: To present a case of Herpes Zoster Ophtalmicus (HZO), which was reactivated postoperatively after a sinus lift operation.
Materials and methods: A 39-year-old male was referred to our clinic for implant-supported dental rehabilitation. He had maxillary missing teeth in positions 13, 14, 15 and 16 and a pneumatised right maxillary sinus with a bone height of 2 mm. Lateral sinus lifting and bone block grafting was performed before implant insertion. Twelve days after the sinus lift, the patient complained of pain and itching at the infraorbital area extending to the forehead. Clinical examination revealed no signs of infection or allergy. The patient received consultation from a dermatologist in order to rule out a possible dermatological disorder. Finally he was diagnosed with HZO.
Results: HZO was managed with systemic acyclovir treatment. Vesicular rashes and ptosis was seen 3 days after the medical treatment. After 1 month no postoperative skin or orbital sequela was seen. Three implants were inserted at the right posterior maxilla 5 months after sinus lift. One-year followup was uneventful.
Conclusions: Dermatological diseases should always be kept in mind during the differential diagnosis of orofacial pain. In this case the proximity of the operation site and affected area gave rise to the idea that surgical trauma had a possible role in the reactivation of the virus. However, the process of reactivation is not entirely understood and requires further investigations. Early diagnosis is essential for HZO in order to avoid debilitating complications such as postherpetic neuralgia and blindness.