Herpes zoster isolated in the glossopharyngeal nerve: a case report and literature review

: Varicella zoster virus (VZV) can cause chickenpox (varicella zoster) and shingles (herpes zoster). Herpes affect cranial nerves but rarely impacts the glossopharyngeal nerve (GN) in isolation. We present a literature review examining primary research—published between 2012 2022—reporting herpes affecting GN, while also reporting case of 57-year-old male who presented to his health physician with unilateral (right-sided) vesicular eruption soft palate severe odynophagia generalised headache. Eight articles were included review, where patients’ ages ranged from 27–78 years equally female (four cases each). In all within manifested as polyneuropathy impacting GN among alongside other nerves. our case, VZV was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay obtained lesions. The patient treated oral Famiclovir 250 mg analgesia for 5 days. One week later, returned excruciating pharyngitis. Physical examination showed an absent right-sided gag reflex, hypogeusia on right posterior tongue, muffled hearing side, sharp pain over ear, scalp, orbit. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) thickening linear enhancement consistent neuronitis. Here, we report unique isolated GN. most often occurs context polyneuropathy, which demonstrate review.