J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2017 Aug;52(4):350-353. 10.4055/jkoa.2017.52.4.350.

A Fast Recovery of Muscle Weakness after Zoster-Induced Brachial Plexitis

• Kim JY
• Song SH
• Kim SH
• Koh KH
• Yoo JH

• KMID: 2387794
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2017.52.4.350

Abstract

Varicella zoster virus (VZV)-induced brachioplexitis is a rare disease, characterized by exacerbating ipsilateral upper extremity pain, muscular weakness, and delay in recovery. We report a 54-year-old female patient who made an early recovery from VZV-induced brachioplexitis via the treatment with stellate ganglion blocks, which may have prevented pain sensation, vasoconstriction, and nerve scarring during the early treatment period.

Keyword

varicella zoster virus; brachioplexitis; muscle weakness; stellate ganglion block

MeSH Terms

Cicatrix
Female
Herpesvirus 3, Human
Humans
Middle Aged
Muscle Weakness*
Rare Diseases
Sensation
Stellate Ganglion
Upper Extremity
Vasoconstriction

Figure

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  Figure 1 Multiple grouped vesicular lesions in C4, 5, 6 dermatomes of left upper limb.

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  Figure 2 A coronal view of the neck magnetic resonance imaging of the patient showing high signal change on left brachial plexus (arrow).

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