Herpes radiculopathy case presenting first with motor involvement

Abstract

Herpes zoster primarily affects the posterior root ganglions and sensorial nerve fibers, and causes vesicular skin eruptions, radicular pain and loss of sensorial function along the distribution of the affected ganglion. Motor involvement can also be observed. When classical cutaneous lesions are present, the motor paresis consequent to herpes zoster is easily diagnosed. However, diagnosis becomes complicated when the motor weakness is the earlier sign and precedes the cutaneous lesions and sensory symptoms. We present a case in whom the major clinical symptom and sign was the motor weakness in cervical radiculopathy consequent to herpes zoster.