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Central nervous system involvement after herpes zoster ophthalmicus
Author(s) -
Haargaard Birgitte,
LundAndersen Henrik,
Milea Dan
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0420.2007.01129.x
Subject(s) - medicine , herpes zoster ophthalmicus , varicella zoster virus , complication , meningitis , encephalitis , neuralgia , central nervous system , pediatrics , shingles , surgery , virus , anesthesia , immunology , neuropathic pain
. Purpose: To report central nervous system involvement after varicella zoster virus infection. Methods: We evaluated the frequency and type of neurological complications in patients initially presenting with ophthalmic herpes zoster at an ophthalmological department in a Danish university hospital, over a 7‐year period. Results: Of the 110 immunocompetent patients who presented with initial ophthalmic zoster, six (5.5%) suffered from neurological complications other than post‐herpetic neuralgia. Four experienced isolated cranial motor nerve palsies, one patient had meningitis with a favourable outcome and one patient had severe encephalitis with a poor clinical outcome. Conclusions: Central nervous system involvement after varicella zoster virus infection is an uncommon, but potentially life‐threatening, complication. Early recognition of neurological complications prompts acute, appropriate antiviral treatment.