title: Zoster paresis: asymptomatic MRI lesions far beyond the site of rash and focal weakness.
abstract: We describe a patient with zoster paresis and an MRI that revealed extensive spinal cord lesions from the upper cervical to the lower thoracic spinal cord. Importantly, the patient reported considerable spontaneous improvement in strength 2-3 weeks after zoster. This report reveals a previously undescribed remarkable preponderance of MRI lesions far beyond the site of zoster rash and focal lower motor neuron weakness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Bert
authors.forename: Don
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gilden
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005076:Exanthema / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D016472:Motor Neuron Disease / Q000473:pathology; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000473:pathology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000473:pathology; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D014633:Valine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D014633:Valine; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D000212:Acyclovir