[Urinary retention secondary to herpes zoster]

We present a case of urinary retention and constipation secondary to Herpes zoster in the distribution of the second and third sacral dermatomes in a 68-year-old woman. Vesical irritability was not observed. Cystometry revealed a flaccid type bladder. Cell count of spinal fluid increased but clinical symptoms and physical findings of myelitis were not observed. A Foley catheter was left indwelling for five days due to urinary retention. After removal of the catheter, bladder paresis gradually improved. Skin eruption and disturbance of urination completely improved about three weeks later. Forty-seven cases of bladder involvement secondary to Herpes zoster including our case have been reported in the Japanese literature.