Clinical features and prognosis of segmental zoster paralysis of limbs / 中华神经科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To describe clinical features and prognosis of segmental zoster paralysis of limbs. @*Methods@#Three patients with segmental zoster paralysis of limbs in Huashan Hospital from January 2018 to January 2019 were reported, and a total of 23 patients (including the presenting three patients) until January 2019 in China were summarized. @*Results@#Case 1 A 72-year-old man developed right foot drop three days after herpes zoster in the right lower limb (L4-5,S1). The electrophysiological study showed incomplete common peroneal nerve injury. He was treated with anti-virus drug, mecobalamine and steroids, and achieved a complete recovery after six months. Case 2 A 62-year-old woman developed difficulty raising the right arm one week after herpes zoster in the right shoulder and upper limb (C5-6). The electrophysiological study showed incomplete axillary nerve injury. He was treated with mecobalamine and ginkgo leaf preparation, and achieved an almost full recovery after six months. Case 3 A 86-year-old woman developed left hand weakness two weeks after herpes zoster in the left upper limb, chest and back (C7-8,T1-3). The electrophysiological study was not performed. She was treated with mecobalamine and ginkgo leaf preparation and got achieved an almost full recovery after three months. @*Conclusions@#Segmental zoster paralysis of limbs was most commonly seen in the elders, within weeks after rash eruptions. Focal motor paralysis appeared in the same segment where the skin eruptions occurred, with the upper limbs being more commonly affected than the lower ones. The electrophysiological study usually showed terminal nerve injuries. The prognosis was relatively good and most of the patients achieved functional recovery.