Postoperative shingles mimicking recurrent radiculopathy after anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion

Abstract

Study Design. Case report and review of literature. Objective. To report the case of a 67-year-old woman who developed delayed onset (6 months) of symptomatic shingles after cervical nerve root decompression in a previously symptomatic dermatome. Methods. The patient's clinic course and outcomes were retrospectively reviewed. The study required no outside funding. The study authors have no financial interest in any of the products or techniques discussed. Results. The patient received definitive treatment for shingles once the zoster form rash manifested. The patient, however, developed postherpetic neuralgia and remained symptomatic at her 2-year postoperative visit. Conclusions. Although shingles is a common disease state affecting patients in the fifth and sixth decades of life, it is rarely seen in the setting of cervical nerve root decompression. This case demonstrates the need to include shingles on the differential diagnosis of recurrent neurogenic pain after anterior cervical decompression and fusion.