Neuropathic pain with features of complex regional syndrome in the upper extremity after herpes zoster

Pain Pract. 2014 Feb;14(2):158-61. doi: 10.1111/papr.12028. Epub 2013 Jan 21.

Abstract

We report a case of a 73-year-old female who developed unbearable neuropathic pain after a herpes zoster episode. The pain persisted and could not be controlled despite multimodal analgesia. In addition to postherpetic neuralgia, myelitis and complex regional pain syndrome were diagnosed during the evolution of neuropathic pain. This complex neuropathic pain was resolved after sympathetic ganglion block.

Keywords: complex regional pain syndromes; myelitis; postherpetic neuralgia; sympathetic block.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Autonomic Nerve Block
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndromes / complications*
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndromes / drug therapy
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndromes / pathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Fluoroscopy
  • Herpes Zoster / complications*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Myelitis / complications*
  • Myelitis / drug therapy
  • Myelitis / pathology
  • Neck Pain / diagnosis
  • Neck Pain / drug therapy
  • Neck Pain / etiology
  • Neck Pain / pathology
  • Neuralgia, Postherpetic / complications*
  • Neuralgia, Postherpetic / drug therapy
  • Neuralgia, Postherpetic / pathology
  • Spinal Cord / pathology