Respiratory muscle dysfunction after herpes zoster.

We report an unusual neurologic complication of herpes zoster. After thoracic herpes zoster, our patient complained of severe shortness of breath as a result of myoclonus of the abdominal muscles as documented by electromyography. The myoclonus resulted in repetitive interruption of expiratory air flow, resulting in shortness of breath and a staccato speech. This case demonstrates the need to evaluate the function of all the respiratory muscles in a patient complaining of dyspnea.