Getting on the Nerve: A Report of a Rare Case of Herpes Zoster Reactivation Following Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy and Review of the Literature.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes herpes zoster, reactivation of which is usually characterized by painful, vesicular rashes in a dermatomal location. Though extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a common procedure for the management of renal stone disease, only a few cases of its association with VZV reactivation are reported. We report about a 42-year-old male patient who was admitted with herpes zoster localized to the T11 dermatome, which occurred one week after ESWL. The given case indicates a rare ESWL complication and indicates that the mechanical damage to nerve roots could be an activator of VZV. This potential complication should be raised so as to be recognized and managed at an early stage.