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African health sciences · Sep 2019
Case ReportsHerpes zoster complicated by phrenic nerve palsy and respiratory compromise.
- Paska Apiyo and Jan Hajek.
- Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, Gulu, Uganda.
- Afr Health Sci. 2019 Sep 1; 19 (3): 2347-2350.
BackgroundHerpes zoster can be associated with severe neurological complications.Case PresentationIn this article, we describe the case of a 54-year-old man with herpes zoster affecting his right upper chest and neck region complicated by phrenic nerve palsy and respiratory compromise. The diagnosis of herpes zoster was made based on the classic appearance of the rash and associated neuropathic-type pain. The diagnosis of phrenic nerve palsy was made by chest x-ray and ultrasound.ConclusionClinicians should be aware of the possibility of phrenic nerve palsy occurring in patients who have herpes zoster affecting the region of C3,4,5 dermatomes. Although symptoms of unilateral diaphragmatic paresis are usually mild, in patients with obesity or comorbid lung disease, new onset phrenic nerve palsy can lead to significant respiratory compromise.© 2019 Apiyo et al.
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