Herpes zoster virus: an unusual but potentially treatable cause of sciatica and foot drop.
Orthopedics
; 34(12): e965-8, 2011 Dec 06.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22146220
ABSTRACT
The herpes zoster virus is a rare but potential cause of acute motor weakness. This article describes 2 patients with drop foot secondary to an infection of varicella zoster who were incorrectly referred to an orthopedic clinic from their general practitioners. The first patient was a 74-year-old man who presented with weakness in the right foot and a vesicular rash. The pattern of disease supported the clinical diagnosis of shingles affecting the L5 motor and sensory division. No investigation was required, and the patient was treated with a foot drop splint. The second patient was a 71-year-old man who presented with right leg and foot weakness and a vesicular rash affecting his right buttock and posterior right thigh. Lumbar magnetic resonance excluded a stenotic lesion; electrophysiological studies supported the diagnosis of a lower motor neuron lesion. The patient was treated with a 1-week course of acyclovir and a foot drop splint. The correct diagnosis will aid in correct referral and will prompt management, which will potentially provide a faster and better outcome for the patient.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Antivirais
/
Ciática
/
Aciclovir
/
Transtornos Neurológicos da Marcha
/
Herpes Zoster
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
Limite:
Aged
/
Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Orthopedics
Ano de publicação:
2011
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Reino Unido