During the treatment for thoracic postherpetic neuralgia, penetrating atherosclerotic ulcerations occurred: A case report

ABSTRACT

Treatment for thoracic postherpetic neuralgia can cause penetrating atherosclerotic ulcerations Postherpetic neuralgia is a frequent complication of herpes zoster.It is more common in the elderly population.If the pattern of pain changes especially in the older patients, differential diagnosis is important because the symptoms of some diseases which may be life threatening is similar with that of postherpetic neuralgia.An 83-year-old woman was admitted presenting aggravated pain, dyspnea and poor oral intake during treatment for postherpetic neuralgia involving the left T3 dermatome. She had a previous history of hypertension, congestive heart failure, and pulmonary embolism.Penetrating atherosclerotic ulceration involving the thoracic aorta was diagnosed by CT angiography and her clinical outcome improved through medical treatment.