Diplégie faciale au cours d’une neuropathie démyélinisante inflammatoire aiguë secondaire à une varicelle

Introduction

Primo-infection by varicella-zoster virus (VZV) may be associated with several neurologic complications. Bilateral facial palsy is a rather uncommon manifestation.

Case report

We report the case of a 38-year-old woman who developed bilateral facial diplegia and paresthesia affecting all four limbs with subacute onset several days after varicella virus primoinfection. Ancillary tests showed hyperproteinorachia and signs of demyelinating polyneuropathy in nerve conduction tests. The diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome was retained and a treatment with intravenous immunoglobulines was started, leading to progressive improvement.

Conclusion

Immunotherapy is a possible therapeutic approach in the context of neurologic postinfectious complications after VZV infection where an underlying mechanism is probable.