A rare cause of acute ürinary retention: Meningitis-retention syndrome caused by Varicella Zoster virus

Year 2025, Volume: 42 Issue: 2, 219 - 221, 30.06.2025

Ertuğrul Köse , Onur Kalaycı , Murat Gülşen

Abstract

A 33-year-old male patient presented to the urology clinic with complaints of headache, fatigue, and acute urinary retention. Physical examination revealed paresthesia/hypoesthesia in the S3–S5 dermatomes and decreased anal sphincter reflex. Blood and urine studies were performed, with results within normal limits. No abnormalities were observed in the urinary system on abdominal computed tomography. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging showed meningeal thickening and contrast enhancement. Lumbar puncture results reported a positive varicella zoster virus DNA. After the diagnosis, he was given intravenous acyclovir, and the symptoms gradually improved.

Keywords

meningitis-retention syndrome, varicella zoster virus, acute urinary retention

Supporting Institution

The authors did not receive support from any organization for the submitted work.

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