Korean J Med.  2009 Aug;77(Suppl 1):S236-S239.

A case of unilateral abdominal protrusion following cutaneous zoster

• Kim SY
• Lee KS
• Kwon NH
• Kim SH
• Joh JS
• Bang JH

Abstract

Approximately 5% of patients infected with Herpes zoster experience motor complications, such as muscle atrophy or paresis, caused by motor neuron involvement. The majority of paretic cases are associated with involvement of cranial nerves or of spinal nerves that innervate the muscles of extremities. We report the case of an 82-year-old female patient with cutaneous Herpes zoster involving the T10-11 sensory dermatomes, complicated by ipsilateral abdominal protrusion. Electromyography on the left external oblique muscle revealed marked denervation potentials, implying motor neuron involvement. One month after the onset of abdominal protrusion, the patient's motor symptoms markedly improved. Clinicians should consider the possibility of motor neuron involvement with Herpes zoster, even in cases of zoster involving thoracic branches of spinal nerves.

Keyword

Herpes zoster; paresis

MeSH Terms

Aged, 80 and over
Cranial Nerves
Denervation
Electromyography
Extremities
Female
Herpes Zoster
Humans
Motor Neurons
Muscles
Muscular Atrophy
Paresis
Spinal Nerves