Question

Mr. Banks, a 63 year old male, was admitted to the local hospital for symptoms that included fluid-filled vesicles on one side of his chest and waist. They are all painful and very itchy. What is his likely diagnosis? What other clinical findings may suggest this diagnosis? Why is Mr. Banks experiencing this disease? Describe what a dermatome and dermatome map is and how they can be useful for Mr. Banks. Name 3 other clinical findings or procedures that a dermatome map can be useful for. Lastly, name and describe what pathways and dermatomes may be activated with Mr. Banks' clinical condition.

Answer 1

Herpes zoster is the most possible diagnosis

The rashes will be accompanied with fever fatigue and headache

The rash will not cross the midline of the body

These blisters crust over in a week

Herpes zoster occurs decades later to a person who had chicken pox,the virus is the same but it reactivates.The virus remains latent in the dorsal root ganglion

Dermatome is an area of skin which is innervated by a single dorsal root of the spinal nerve

Dermatome map tells us about the location of each dermatome

Dermatome map can be used to used to diagnose radicular pain

After someone recovers from the chicken pox the virus moves to a single dorsal root ganglion and typically remains inactive

Since cell mediated immunity decreases with age reactivation of virus occurs in individuals with age over 50 years.Thoracic and lumbar dermatomes are the most commonly affected.