Diaphragmatic paralysis following cervical herpes zoster.
A 74-year-old man was found to have a paralysed left hemidiaphragm within four months of the appearance of a typical herpes zoster rash involving his left shoulder and neck. Investigations, including bronchoscopy and computed tomography of the chest, failed to detect a cause for the diaphragmatic paralysis. We believe that the cervical zoster and diaphragmatic paralysis were causally related, a rare but recognised association.
Stowasser
M
M
Prince Charles Hospital, Chermside, Qld.
Cameron
J
J
Oliver
W A
WA
D000368:Aged; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck; D010791:Phrenic Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D012133:Respiratory Paralysis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology