Varicella zoster meningitis preceeded by thrombophlebitis in a patient with Hodgkin's disease.
Varicella zoster (V-Z) infections are common among patients with hematological malignancies, particularly Hodgkin's disease (HD). The common denominator in both HD and V-Z infections is immunosuppression. Most of V-Z infections occur in patients with HD during the remission period, who have mixed cellularity sub-type, with stage III disease and who have received combined chemo-radiation therapy. Involvement of the central nervous system usually manifests as post-herpetic neuralgia or encephalitis. Angiitis has also been found in association with V-Z infections. The authors describe a case of HD who developed V-Z meningitis preceeded by superficial thrombophlebitis of upper extremities during the period of active chemotherapy.
Saif
M W
MW
Medicine Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD 20889, USA. saifw@mail.nih.gov
Hamilton
J M
JM
Allegra
C J
CJ
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000139:chemically induced; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008297:Male; D008587:Meningitis, Viral / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000821:virology*