Herpes Zoster Induced Alveolar Bone Necrosis in Immunocompromised Patients; Two Case Reports

Abstract

<strong><em>Introduction:</em></strong> <br/>Herpes zoster Infection (HZI) is a viral disease with painful skin rashes and blisters in a limited area on one side of the body, often in a strip. Osteonecrosis with spontaneous exfoliation of teeth in association with HZI of the mandibular nerve is a rare phenomenon. In this report, such an unusual complication of HZI is presented. <br/> <br/><strong><em>Case Report:</em></strong> <br/>The clinical course of a 53-year-old woman and a 54-year-old man with HZI associated with alveolar bone necrosis and tooth exfoliation were reviewed in order to develop a patient profile for this rare combination of physical findings. <br/> <br/><strong><em>Conclusion:</em></strong> <br/>In immunocompromised patients, the clinicians should consider HZI as a possible cause of tooth mobility, exfoliation, and alveolar osteonecrosis, which needs early intervention to prevent secondary complications.