Zoster sine herpete, vertebral artery stenosis, and ischemic stroke
Wei-Hsi Chen1, Chi Chui, Hsin-Ling Yin
1Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Technology and Law, National First University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Abstract:
Although a previous or recent history of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection is known to increase the risk of stroke in both children and adults, the influence of zoster sine herpetic remains unclear. We report an immunocompetent man with common cold symptoms and conjunctivitis, followed by an acute onset of bulbar weakness and hemihypesthesia without preceding skin rash. Acute medullary infarction and left vertebral artery stenosis were detected. VZV infection was finally identified. Zoster sine herpetic interferes with accurate diagnosis of infectious stroke, and vertebral artery involvement is unusual in ischemic stroke in this situation. An unexplained course of ischemic stroke event should be suspected in patients with VZV cerebrovasculopathy, especially in those without conventional stroke risk factors and those exhibiting concomitant infectious complications.
Related Concept Videos
Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction
Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction
Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
The Arch of Aorta
Encircling the heart, the coronary arteries form a ring-like structure before...
Arteries of the Head and Neck
The internal carotid arteries supply blood to the anterior portion of the cerebrum. They enter the...


