Zoster Paresis of the Shoulder -A case report-

Abstract

Segmental motor paresis is a rare complication of acute herpes zoster. If skin rashes are present, herpes zoster related motor paresis could easily be suspected. However, the diagnosis may be difficult, especially when motor paresis occurs before the skin lesions or when motor paresis occurs several weeks after the skin lesions have healed. We experienced a cervical zoster patient whose shoulder paresis happened suddenly seven weeks after skin lesion healing. We diagnosed the patient as having a rotator cuff tear and scheduled repair. But we were confused by discordance between clinical symptoms and radiological findings. Eventually, EMG findings revealed the patient's paresis was derived from neuropathy not from rotator cuff tearing. Elective surgery was canceled and the patient recovered completely from the paresis.