[Acute hemiparesis after chickenpox]

Varicella is a common infectious disease; it is usually benign and self-limited, and complications are believed to be rare. A case is presented of a two-year-old girl who developed a left hemiparesis four weeks after the onset of chickenpox. Laboratory studies ruled out all known causes of stroke. MRI revealed the infarction, and MRA showed segmental narrowing of the right internal carotid artery, compatible with focal vasculitis. Based on the presumed diagnosis of varicella-associated cerebral vasculitis, the patient was treated with acyclovir, methylprednisolone and aspirin.