title: Stroke Associated With Varicella Zoster Vasculopathy: A Clinicoradiological Profile of 3 Patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Varicella zoster (VZ) vasculopathy is a rare but well recognized cause of stroke. In the absence of zoster rash and infection in remote past, the disease can pose diagnostic challenge. We report 3 cases of anterior circulation stroke occurring in close temporal relation to VZ. Their clinical, radiologic, and angiographic features are discussed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of the 3 patients, 2 had stroke within a span of 4 to 6 weeks of herpes zoster ophthalmicus while the third patient had zoster of cervical dermatome. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed acute subcortical infarcts in 2, while 1 patient showed acute on chronic infarct in left middle cerebral artery territory. The magnetic resonance angiography was abnormal in 2 patients while it was normal in third. All the patients were treated with acyclovir and antiplatelets with good recovery in 2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VZ associated vasculopathy may have diverse clinical profile and neuroimaging features. It should be considered as an important and treatable cause of stroke in appropriate clinical settings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India.
authors.forename: Pradeep K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Maurya
authors.forename: Dinkar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kulshreshtha
authors.forename: Ajai K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Anup K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Thacker
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006563:Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020521:Stroke / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000212:Acyclovir