Neurologic Complications of Herpes Zoster

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 12(4); 1994 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 1994;12(4): 715-722.

대상포진의 신경계 합병증

김순관, 이승현,최영철,최일생,김진호

연세대학교 신경과. 봉생병원.

Neurologic Complications of Herpes Zoster

Soon Kwan Kim, M.D., Soong Hyun Lee, M.D., Young Chul Choi, M.D., Il Sang Choi, M.D., Jin Ho Kim, M.D.

Department of Neurology, Yongdong Severance Hospital Yonsei University College of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Bong Seng Hospital

Abstract

Herpes zoster is an acute, self-limited disease of infectious origin. It is characterized by grouped vesicular lesions on an erythematous base distributed over several dermatomes as well as single. In some cases the patients can be found to have an identifiable risk factor such as old age, malignancy, irradiation, chemotherapy, immunosuppresive therapy and trauma. The majority of cases are self-limited and resolved completely. However it may have serious complication. We reviewed 369 cases of herpes zoster to determine the distribution of lesions, incidence of postherpetic neuralgia, associated disorders, and the age. 134 cases (36.1%) of 369 cases with herpes zoster were associated with chronic disorders. The complications of herpes zoster were developed in 71 cases (19.2%) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) was the most commom complication. The frequency and severity of postherpetic neuralgia were proportional to age. There was a predilection of the involvement in thoracic dermatomes, lumbar dermatomes and ophthalmic division of trigeminal nerve in decreasing order of frequency. The incidence and duration of postherpetic neuralgia are significantly related to age.