Herpes Zoster Meningitis Confirmed by Detection of Varicella-Zoster Virus DNA Using the Polymerase Chain Reaction: A case report.
10.3344/kjp.2005.18.2.210
- Author:
Hu Man HEO
1
;
Yu Sun CHOI
;
Seong Kyu PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Anesthesiology Pain Medicine, Sanbon Hospital, Wonkwang University, Gunpo, Korea. heohuman@yahoo.co.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
herpes zoster;
meningitis;
polymerase chain reaction;
varicella-zoster virus
- MeSH:
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
- From:The Korean Journal of Pain
2005;18(2):210-213
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
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.
