title: [A case of paralytic ileus associated with varicella zoster virus infection].
abstract: A 79-year-old woman with a history of pyothorax was admitted with a 4-day history of abdominal distension. Physical examination revealed marked abdominal distention, absent bowel sounds, and a vesicular rash over the left Th8-10 dermatome. Abdominal radiography showed gaseous distension of the colon and ileum. Colonoscopy excluded any obstructive process of the colon. Laboratory findings yielded positive results for serum IgM and IgG against the varicella zoster virus (VZV) . Paralytic ileus associated with the VZV was therefore diagnosed. The ileus improved after conservative treatment with intravenous acyclovir. Although shingles is frequently encountered, it is a rare cause of paralytic ileus. In the future, the VZV should be considered as one of the causes of paralytic ileus, and complete resolution can be achieved with conservative management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Osaka City General Hospital, Japan. s-hiramatsu@hospital.city.osaka.jp
authors.forename: Shinsuke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hiramatsu
authors.forename: Hiroko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nebiki
authors.forename: Ayako
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ueno
authors.forename: Yuhei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wakahara
authors.forename: Hirotsugu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Maruyama
authors.forename: Takehisa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suekane
authors.forename: Tomoaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamasaki
authors.forename: Eiji
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sano
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakai
authors.forename: Yasuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kawasaki
authors.forename: Kiyohide
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kioka
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007418:Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*