Pseudohernia abdominal como complicación infrecuente de herpes zóster cutáneo: reporte de un caso / Abdominal pseudohernia as a complication infrequent cutaneous herpes zoster: report of a case

Una de las infecciones virales más comunes -sobretodo en personas de mayor edad- es el Herpes Zóster (HZ). Su característica clínica, hace sospechar al médico de forma temprana, para otorgar un tratamiento adecuado y oportuno. Dentro de las complicaciones más frecuentes se encuentran las sensitivas, como la neuralgia postherpética.1 Sin embargo, existen un grupo de complicaciones motoras de menor incidencia, como lo es la Pseudohernia abdominal. Ésta corresponde a una paresia segmentaria, que se manifiesta como una protrusión de la pared abdominal sin un defecto real, que aumenta con maniobras de valsalva.1 Generalmente se puede presentar en hombres, mayores de 60 años, inmunosuprimidos o con neoplasias hematológicas.1,2,3 El diagnóstico es clínico, aunque se puede confirmar con estudio imagenológico, que evidencie una musculatura de la pared abdominal adelgazada con respecto a la contralateral y que descarta un orificio herniario por un defecto estructural. 2 La electromiografía también puede jugar un rol al evidenciar anormalidades en la conducción nerviosa. 2 La pseudohernia por HZ tiene un buen pronóstico en la mayoría de los pacientes con recuperación completa: entre 2-18 meses. 3 Su principal riesgo es la pseudobstrucción intestinal, que se puede manifestar como constipación.2,4 En el siguiente reporte de caso, se analiza a la pseudohernia abdominal como complicación motora infrecuente del HZ y sus características.

One of the most common viral infections -especially in elderly- is Herpes Zoster (HZ). Its clinical characteristic makes the doctor suspect early, to grant adequate and timely treatment. Among the most frequent complications are the sensitive ones, such as postherpetic neuralgia1 . However, there is a group of motor complications of lower incidence, such as abdominal pseudohernia. This corresponds to a segmental paresis, which manifests as a protrusion of the abdominal wall without a real defect that increases with valsalva maneuvers1 . It can generally present in men, older than 60 years, immunosuppressed or with hematological neoplasms1,2,3, The diagnosis is clinical, although it can be confirmed with an imaging study, which shows a thinner abdominal wall musculature with regard to the contralateral wall, and which rules out a hernial orifice due to a structural defect2 . Electromyography can also play a role in show abnormalities in nerve conduction2 . HZ pseudohernia has a good prognosis in most patients with complete recovery: between 2-18 months.3 Its main risk is intestinal pseudoobstruction, which can manifest as constipation2,4. In the following case report, abdominal pseudohernia is analyzed as a rare motor complication of HZ and its characteristics.

Segmental Motor Paresis Presenting with Abdominal Wall Pseudohernia due to Herpes Zoster: Case Report

Herpes zoster is characterized by vesicular eruption and rash of the skin in the affected dermatomes. Sensory symptoms such as pain and hypesthesia are often accompanied in patients with herpes zoster. While motor paralysis is uncommon, abdominal paralysis can result in rare complications such as abdominal wall pseudohernia. In the present report, we discuss the case of a 62 year-old man who presented with abdominal wall protrusion after herpes zoster infection involving the right T10-T12 dermatomes. Magnetic resonance imaging findings were not specifically correlated with abdominal wall protrusion. Needle electromyography revealed abnormal spontaneous activity in the right paraspinal muscles at the T10-T12 levels, rectus abdominis, and external oblique muscles. Dermatomal somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) exhibited prolonged latency in the right T10 and T12 dermatomes. These findings suggest that herpes zoster infection can affect both motor and sensory nerves.

Abdominal Pseudohernia Following Herpes Zoster

Herpes zoster is a common disease of the dorsal root ganglia and sensory nerve fibers that is clinically characterized by a painful unilateral vesicular eruption of the skin in a dermatomal distribution. Segmental motor weakness is a rare complication that occurs in 0-5% of patients and is associated with an excellent prognosis for recovery. We herein present a case of herpes zoster complicated by segmental motor paresis of the abdominal musculature resulting in a pseudohernia. This rare complication of herpes zoster, which has an excellent prognosis for recovery, should be recognized by physicians as it can save costly consultations and evaluations.

Abdominal Wall Protrusion Following Herpes Zoster

No abstract available.