Buikwandparese als complicatie van herpes zoster

Background

Herpes zoster is an illness which is especially common amongst the elderly in the Netherlands and which can express itself in various ways. Besides affecting sensory nerves, which leads to postherpetic pain, the varicella zoster virus may also invade motor nerves.

Case description

A 73-year-old female went to the surgeon with symptoms of a painful swelling in the left lower abdomen. She had experienced herpes zoster at the site of the swelling a few months earlier. A CT scan revealed asymmetry of the abdominal wall musculature, which led us to suspect a link between motor involvement of herpes zoster and the abdominal swelling. EMG revealed denervation of the affected abdominal wall muscle, which confirmed the link with herpes zoster in that dermatome.

Conclusion

Abdominal wall paresis caused by herpes zoster is a rare condition. It can be diagnosed on the basis of clinical findings and may be confirmed by EMG investigation of the affected muscle. In view of the temporary nature of the paresis, it is possible to opt for conservative management of the condition.

Conflict of interest and financial support: none declared.