[Ophthalmic herpes zoster and delayed contralateral hemiparesis: a chance occurrence (author's transl)].

A 57 years-old woman developed a right hemiparesis with dysphasia four weeks after left Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus. The CSF was normal while cerebral angiography showed segmental narrowing of the left carotid syphon and terminal branches. The patient's condition improved during the next few days with almost full recovery. Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus followed by a controlateral hemiparesis or hemiplegia is a relatively infrequent clinical syndrome. After a review of the relevant literature and discussion of the various theories of causation, the authors suggest a chance relation between the two pathological conditions.