Abstract
Background
Herpes zoster affects essentially sensory fibres with segmental distribution. Abdominal
wall paresis is a rare complication.
Aims of the study
We present the case of a 72 year-old man with herpes zoster infection in T11–T12 left
dermatomes and segmental abdominal wall protrusion.
Methods
Electromyography (EMG) and dermatomal somatosensory evoked potentials (DSEPs) were
performed 27 days after symptoms onset.
Results
EMG confirmed acute axonal lesion in left external oblique muscle and left paraspinal
muscles at T11–T12 level and DSEPs assessed topographic distribution: there was no
response in the left side at T12 dermatome. Three months following the onset of shingles,
the abdominal wall protrusion had completely resolved.
Conclusions
Neurophysiological examination, including EMG and DSEPs, confirms motor and sensory
loss in this unusual post-herpetic complication.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 12, 2011
Accepted:
August 24,
2011
Received in revised form:
August 24,
2011
Received:
May 26,
2011
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 Elsevier B.V. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
