Korean J Pain.  2005 Dec;18(2):210-213. 10.3344/kjp.2005.18.2.210.

Herpes Zoster Meningitis Confirmed by Detection of Varicella-Zoster Virus DNA Using the Polymerase Chain Reaction: A case report

• Heo HM
• Choi YS
• Park SK

• KMID: 2277991
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2005.18.2.210

Abstract

Acute viral meningitis and myositis are rare complications of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation. A 71-years-old immunocompetent man, who presented with lower back pain radiating to the left lower extremities, developed vesicles on the L5 dermatomal area. The next day, he had complained of aberrant vesicles on the trunk, face and scalp, with generalized myalgia, headache and dizziness. He was confirmed with VZV meningitis and myositis, as demonstrated by the presence of VZV DNA in the blood and cerebral spinal fluid using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. PCR has been used in patients with a VZV infection associated neurological symptoms, and provides a useful tool for the early diagnosis of VZV-associated neurological disease. The patient was treated with bed rest, with intravenous acyclovir for the VZV infection, and intravenous Patient-controlled Analgesia for pain management and the prevention of postherpetic neuralgia. When he visited the outpatient department 3 months later, the skin lesion, leg pain, headache and myalgia had all improved, without sequelae. Here, this case is reported, with a discussion of the relevant literature on its diagnosis and management.

Keyword

herpes zoster; meningitis; polymerase chain reaction; varicella-zoster virus

MeSH Terms

Acyclovir
Analgesia, Patient-Controlled
Bed Rest
Diagnosis
Dizziness
DNA*
Early Diagnosis
Headache
Herpes Zoster*
Herpesvirus 3, Human*
Humans
Leg
Low Back Pain
Lower Extremity
Meningitis*
Meningitis, Viral
Myalgia
Myositis
Neuralgia, Postherpetic
Outpatients
Pain Management
Polymerase Chain Reaction*
Scalp
Skin
Acyclovir
DNA