Unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis and segmental motor paresis following herpes zoster

Abstract

Abstract We report the case of a 73‐year‐old woman who complained of acute onset of pain and weakness of her left shoulder and proximal arm muscles 3 weeks after a diagnosis of herpes zoster. Electromyography revealed involvement of the C5–6 myotomes and the upper trunk of the brachial plexus. Chest X‐ray and electromyographic studies documented paralysis of the left diaphragm. One year after onset, muscle strength returned to normal, but radiographic and electrophysiologic findings of diaphragm paralysis were unchanged. Muscle Nerve 38: 1070–1073, 2008