title: Clinical, electrophysiologic, and imaging features of zoster-associated limb paresis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Paresis is a long-recognized complication of herpes zoster, but there has been comparatively little study of zoster-associated limb paresis (ZALP).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study we reviewed 49 Mayo Clinic patients with ZALP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of onset was 71 years, 67% were men, and the lower limb was affected in 55%. The mean weakness score was 2.0 (0 = normal strength, 4 = plegia). Most patients developed postherpetic neuralgia (PHN, 92% at 1 month and 65% at 3 months), and the average minimum duration of weakness was 193 days. ZALP was caused by radiculopathy (37%), plexopathy (41%), mononeuropathy (14%), and radiculoplexus neuropathy (8%). MRI demonstrated nerve enlargement, T2 signal prolongation, or enhancement in a majority (64%) of affected plexi and peripheral nerves.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ZALP is associated with considerable weakness. It typically lasts at least several months, localizes to plexus or peripheral nerve in 63%, and is associated with high rates of PHN.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, 200 First Street SW, Minnesota, 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Lyell K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Haatem
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Reda
authors.forename: James C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Watson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000473:pathology; D004568:Electrodiagnosis; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008160:Lumbosacral Plexus / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000235:genetics; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000473:pathology
keywords: Herpes zoster; infectious neuropathy; postherpetic neuralgia; zoster paresis; zoster-associated limb paresis