Acute Herpetic Nasopharyngitis in an Adult Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Objective:

To report a case of herpes virus-associated nasopharyngitis in an adult patient.

Methods:

The patient’s medical record was reviewed for demographic and clinical data. For literature review, all case reports or other publications published in English literature were identified using Pubmed with the MeSH terms “herpes,” “nasopharyngitis,” and “upper respiratory infection.”

Results:

A 40-year-old male presented for nasal congestion and a suspected nasal mass. Computed tomography of the sinuses revealed edematous changes in the nasopharynx which exerted a downward mass effect at the right aspect of the soft palate. Flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy (FFL) revealed a lesion arising from the posterior aspect of the soft palate with extension into the posterior nasal cavity as well as copious mucopurulent secretions consistent with a superimposed acute sinusitis. Rigid nasal endoscopy demonstrated a friable and ulcerated lesion arising from the aforementioned anatomical location. Biopsy of this lesion and subsequent immunohistochemical analysis revealed a diagnosis of herpetic nasopharyngitis.

Conclusions:

Herpetic infection should be in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with atypical symptoms of nasopharyngitis. Early accurate diagnosis and appropriate specific management can limit the duration of disease course and prevent further complications.