Spontaneous Resolution of Abdominal Pseudohernia After Herpes Zoster

Abstract

Herpes zoster, also known as shingles, develops from reactivation of the varicella zoster virus. 1 Bolognia J Jorizzo JL Schaffer J, eds. Dermatology. Elsevier Saunders, Philadelphia2012 Google Scholar In immunocompetent individuals, shingles classically presents as pruritic vesicles in a dermatomal distribution with associated constitutional symptoms. The rash typically resolves in 7-10 days. 1 Bolognia J Jorizzo JL Schaffer J, eds. Dermatology. Elsevier Saunders, Philadelphia2012 Google Scholar The most common complication of herpes zoster is herpetic neuralgia. Motor deficits occur in 1%-5% of patients, with the most common manifestation being Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. 2 Greenberg J. Herpes zoster with motor involvement. JAMA. 1970; 212: 322 Crossref PubMed Scopus (6) Google Scholar Other complications include abdominal pseudohernia, localized paresis, constipation, visceral neuropathy, paralytic ileus/colonic pseudo-obstruction, hemidiaphragm paralysis, and bladder dysfunction. 1 Bolognia J Jorizzo JL Schaffer J, eds. Dermatology. Elsevier Saunders, Philadelphia2012 Google Scholar , 2 Greenberg J. Herpes zoster with motor involvement. JAMA. 1970; 212: 322 Crossref PubMed Scopus (6) Google Scholar , 3 Chernev I Dado D. Segmental zoster abdominal paresis (zoster pseudohernia): a review of the literature. PM R. 2013; 5: 786-790 Crossref PubMed Scopus (44) Google Scholar , 4 Hotta T Kano Y Shiohara T A case of herpes zoster with paralytic ileus and paralysis of abdominal muscles. Clin Dermatol. 2003; 57: 1191-1194 Google Scholar We report a case of a patient who developed an abdominal bulge 3 weeks after experiencing a rash from herpes zoster.