Isolated Optic Neuritis with Abnormal Trigeminal Nucleus on Imaging: Rare Complication of Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) is related to reactivation of the latent varicella zoster virus (VZV) involving ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve. Optic neuritis (ON) is a rare ocular complication following HZO. Most of the previous cases occurred simultaneously with other ocular complications, especially orbital apex syndrome. Moreover, detailed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) of optic nerve and trigeminal nucleus in HZO-related ON are scarcely documented.