Neurological complications of herpes zoster

Ital J Neurol Sci. 1990 Dec;11(6):559-65. doi: 10.1007/BF02337438.

Abstract

We report 31 cases of herpes zoster (HZ) with neurological complications: 14 with cranial nerve deficits, 1 with cranial nerve deficit associated with segmental motor disorder, 3 with segmental motor deficits, 2 with meningoencephalitis, 2 with meningoencephalitis associated with cranial neuropathy or myelitis, 2 with meningitis, 2 with hemiplegia contralateral to the ophthalmic HZ. 1 with hemiplegia and motor deficit and finally 1 with hemiplegia and a cranial neuropathy. Smoking was the putative risk factor in 53% of our patients together with diabetes, which has already been mentioned in the literature. We frequently observed more than one complication in succession (19.3%) that could not easily be related to the cutaneous distribution. Acyclovir had no demonstrable positive effects on neurological complication in our patients.

MeSH terms

  • Acyclovir / therapeutic use
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cranial Nerve Diseases / etiology*
  • Diabetes Complications
  • Female
  • Hemiplegia / etiology*
  • Herpes Zoster / complications*
  • Herpes Zoster / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / complications
  • Male
  • Meningoencephalitis / etiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Smoking

Substances

  • Acyclovir