In patients presenting with acute weakness of the limb or trunk, be sure to ask about history of shingles or rash. They may have segmental zoster paresis.
Patients may develop weakness in a myotomal distribution similar to the dermatomal sensory symptoms and rash. However, weakness may develop up to 4 weeks after the rash, making the connection between the two presentations less apparent.
References
Thomas JE, Howard FM Jr. Segmental zoster paresis disease profile. Neurology 1972;22(5):459Y466
