• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.85-88
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• 2005

Encephalitis is known as a rare complication of varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation. It is usually regarded as a complication of a cutaneous infection in patients with impaired cellular immunity. The reported incidence of herpetic motor involvement range between 0.5 and 31%, but is possibly more frequent as the weakness is readily obscured by pain. A 53-years-old woman, who presented with severe shoulder pain, fever, headache and seizure, which developed the day after skin eruptions, also developed motor paresis 7 days after the seizure. Her cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was VZV-Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) negative, but VZV specific IgG antibody positive, and her brain MRI was found to be normal. With the early diagnosis and proper treatment, such as intravenous administration of acyclovir, stellate ganglion block and Yamamoto New Scalp Stimulation (YNSS), the patient completely recovered, without psychoneurological sequelae. Herein, we present this case, with a discussion of the relevant literature on the incidence, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of central nervous system VZV involvement.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.299-302
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• 2006

Segmental zoster paresis is characterized by focal, asymmetric motor weakness in the myotome corresponding to the dermatome of the rash. A 73-year-old man, who presented with severe right shoulder pain and shoulder girdle muscle weakness, was diagnosed with segmental zoster paresis involvement of the C5⁣-C6 motor roots as a complication of herpes zoster. Girdle muscles (supraspinatus, deltoid and infraspinatus) atrophy had developed in his right shoulder. An MRI showed rotator cuff tearing in his right shoulder; therefore, an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair was performed. Herein, this case is presented to emphasize the importance of considering post-herpetic segmental motor paresis in the differential diagnosis of acute painful motor weakness of the upper extremities.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.266-269
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• 1997

Herpes zoster is a relatively common disease caused by Varicella-Zoster virus and characterized by a vesicular dermatomal rash and a variety of neurologic manifestations. These neurologic symptoms include herpes zoster neuralgia, myelitis, encephalitis, cranial arteritis, segmental and rarely polyradiculitis. This report is a case of a 57-year-old female with herpes zoster paresis affecting the arm and hand. Herpetic pain was much relieved after continuous cervical epidural blockade. However, fifty days after onset of ailment, she complained motor paralysis. EMG of muscles innervated by the left $C_8$ and $T_1$ roots revealed high frequency denervation potentials and large amplitude polyphasic motor units. We recommended physiotherapy and aggressive exercise therapy of the hand. After eighty days of therapy, denervated spontaneous activities disappeared on EMG. Clinically, strength of muscles had nearly recovered to 75% of normal strength in left hand intrinsics.