title: Herpes zoster: a consideration in the differential diagnosis of radiculopathy.
abstract: Herpes zoster probably occurs more often than generally thought. Since it produces a radicular distribution of pain, it should be included in the differential diagnosis of radiculopathy. A case is presented in which evaluating the radicular low back pain before the characteristic rash appears was misleading. Careful history-taking concerning the exact nature of the pain and sensory changes is needed to differentiate between zoster and radiculopathy, if no rash is evident.
mesh_terms: D001416:Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004576:Electromyography; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012585:Sciatica / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology