Lab Studies: * No laboratory work is usually necessary. * Results of cerebrospinal fluid evaluation are abnormal in 61%. * Pleocytosis is observed in 46%, elevated protein in 26%, and VZV DNA in 22%. * These findings are not predictive of the clinical course of<unk> . * Viral culture or immunofluorescence staining may be used to differentiate herpes simplex from herpes zoster in cases that are difficult to distinguish clinically. * Antibodies to herpes zoster can be measured. A 4-fold increase has been used to support the diagnosis of subclinical herpes zoster (zoster sine herpete). However, a rising titer secondary to viral exposure rather than reactivation cannot be ruled out. Imaging studies: * Magnetic resonance imaging lesions attributable to herpes zoster were seen in the brain stem and cervical cord in 56% (9/16) of patients. * At three months after onset of herpes zoster, 56% (5/9) of patients with an abnormal magnetic resonance image had developed<unk> . * Of the seven patients who had no herpes-zoster-related lesions on the magnetic resonance image, none had residual pain.
Postherpetic neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia
Atypical trigeminal neuralgia
Occipital neuralgia
Erythromelalgia
Morning sickness
Cold-stimulus headache
Cerebritis