title: Respiratory muscle dysfunction after herpes zoster.
abstract: We report an unusual neurologic complication of herpes zoster. After thoracic herpes zoster, our patient complained of severe shortness of breath as a result of myoclonus of the abdominal muscles as documented by electromyography. The myoclonus resulted in repetitive interruption of expiratory air flow, resulting in shortness of breath and a staccato speech. This case demonstrates the need to evaluate the function of all the respiratory muscles in a patient complaining of dyspnea.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Passerini
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Cosio
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Newman
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles; D002998:Clonazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009207:Myoclonus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D002998:Clonazepam