An unusual case of flaccid paralysis of both lower limbs following herpes zoster.

A 57-year-old man with left T8-9 cutaneous Herpes Zoster lesions and subsequent development of flaccid paralysis of both lower limbs is reported. Viral studies strongly supported a diagnosis of Herpes Zoster. No other cause for the paralysis was found. The time interval between the cutaneous lesions and the motor weakness, the clinical course and good recovery suggest a causal relationship. The dermatomal and myotomal dissociation has been well-documented on the ipsilateral side, but involvement of the contralateral side is rare. This would appear to be unusual in that there was bilateral weakness of "LMN type".