[Amyotrophy caused by herpes zoster. Description of 5 cases]

Radicular paralysis is the most frequent, though usually less serious, complication of Herpes Zoster, being observed in rather less than 5% of patients. The site affected--leaving aside exceptional cases--it that of the gangliar and radicular district where the eruption occurs. A clinical and neurophysiological study was made of 5 patients with loss of strength and trophism on the part of muscles in the eruption site within 2 to 5 weeks after the onset of Herpes. Routine blood chemistry tests were run, together with spinal puncture in three cases. The EMG data pointed to variously severe neurogenic distress referable to myeloradicular involvement. Subsequent clinical and EMG controls demonstrated gradual, though slow improvement. This finding is in line with the literature data.