Zoster related multiple cranial nerve palsies: An unusual complication following percutaneous balloon compression for trigeminal neuralgia

A patient demonstrating multiple cranial nerve palsies involving the IXth, Xth, XIth and XIIth cranial nerves following percutaneous balloon compressi on of the trigeminal ganglion for post-herpetic trigeminal neuralgia is pre sented. This collection of lower cranial nerve palsies, including the acces sory nerve, has not been previously described as a complication of this pro cedure. This unusual group of cranial nerve palsies resulted from reactivat ion of the varicella-zosler virus (VZV) secondary to the procedure.