Herpes zoster (HZ) is essentially a viral disease of the posterior root ganglia and sensory nerve fibers, which presents clinically with vesicular eruption of the skin, radicular pain and sensory changes in the distribution of the affected ganglion. However, motor involvement can be seen as well. If classic cutaneous lesions are present, HZ-related motor paresis is easily diagnosed. Otherwise, the diagnosis may be suspicious, especially if the weakness occurs before the cutaneous lesions have appeared, or weeks after they have subsided. We present a patient with HZ-related motor paresis due to radiculopathy in the cervical segments whose motor symptoms and signs appear as major clinical features.

PubMed: 12836588