Voiding Dysfunction associated with Herpes Zoster

Lee, Dong Hwan; Kim, Hyun Woo; Suh, Hong Jin; Cho, Dae Haeng

Abstract

PURPOSE: Herpes zoster infection involving the lumbosacral dermatomes may cause voiding dysfunction. In this study, we investigated the clinical features and urologic manifestations in patients suffering from voiding dysfunction caused by herpes zoster infection.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We have reviewed the whole medical records in 5 patients who showed voiding dysfunction concomitant with herpes zoster infection.
RESULTS
Dermatome levels of zoster infection were thoracic in 1, lumbar in 1 and sacral in 3 patients. Urologic symptoms were acute urinary retention in 4, who showed detrusor areflexia in the cystometrogram, and cystitis-like symptom with detrusor hyperreflexia in 1 patient. 3 of five patients showed weak anal tonus and constipation. 4 patients who showed detrusor areflexia were managed by indwelling catheter or clean intermittent catheterization with alpha-blocker and 1 patient who showed detrusor hyerreflexia was managed by anticholinergics. The mean time of recovery from voiding dysfunction was 2.2weeks(range:1-5weeks).
CONCLUSIONS
Herpes zoster infection should be considered in patients presenting with an acute neurogenic bladder of unknown cause. However, the prognosis is favorable and most of the patients regain normal bladder function within 2 weeks.