J Korean Pain Soc.  1997 Nov;10(2):266-269.

A Case of Herpes Zoster Myelitis: A case report

• Yang IS
• Lim GD
• Shin SS

Abstract

Herpes zoster is a relatively common disease caused by Varicella-Zoster virus and characterized by a vesicular dermatomal rash and a variety of neurologic manifestations. These neurologic symptoms include herpes zoster neuralgia, myelitis, encephalitis, cranial arteritis, segmental and rarely polyradi- culitis. This report is a case of a 57-year-old female with herpes zoster paresis affecting the arm and hand. Herpetic pain was much relieved after continuous cervical epidural blockade. However, fifty days after onset of ailment, she complained motor paralysis. EMG of muscles innervated by the left Ca and T1 roots revealed high frequency denervation potentials and large amplitude polyphasic motor units. We recommended physiotherapy and aggressive exercise therapy of the hand. After eighty days of therapy, denervated spontaneous activities disappeared on EMG. Clinically, strength of muscles had nearly recovered to 75% of normal strength in left hand intrinsics.

Keyword

Complication; herpes zoster myelitis; paresis

MeSH Terms

Arm
Denervation
Encephalitis
Exanthema
Exercise Therapy
Female
Giant Cell Arteritis
Hand
Herpes Zoster*
Herpesvirus 3, Human
Humans
Middle Aged
Muscles
Myelitis*
Neuralgia
Neurologic Manifestations
Paralysis
Paresis