HERPES-ZOSTER INFECTION PRESENTING AS AN ACUTE PULPITIS

A major reason for referral to an endodontic practice is management of pain. Most cases are diagnosed as being of pulpal or periapical origi n. However, some turn out quite differently than their initial appeara nce. This case report presents a patient referred to the endodontic cl inic because of symptoms mimicking an irreversible pulpitis. On examin ation no obvious cause of the symptoms could be found. The patient was treated conservatively after which a herpes tester viral infection wa s diagnosed. This case stresses the importance of a thorough investiga tion of all signs and symptoms and the delay of definitive treatment u ntil a diagnosis is made.