[Urinary retention secondary to herpes zoster infection]

The authors report the cases of 67-year-old male patient who suddenly developed urinary retention concomitant with herpes zoster of the left buttock. Urodynamic assessment showed a hyposensitive and atonic bladder. Voiding gradually returned after 10 weeks and, after 14 weeks, the patient no longer presented any voiding disorders. This case illustrates a rare complication of herpes zoster. It can occur in any site of infection, but is more frequent in the case of lumbosacral lesions. Urinary retention is spontaneously reversible over a mean interval of 6 to 10 weeks and treatment is based on self-catheterization.