- Herpes zoster oticus (Ramsey- Hunt syndrome).

Herpes zoster oticus

(Ramsey-Hunt syndrome)

-Aetiology:-

• herpes zoster viral infection of the geniculate ganglion of the facial nerve.
• It is caused by reactivation of herpes zoster virus that has previously caused chickenpox in the patient.

-Clinical picture:-

• Pain in and around the ear
• vesicles on the auricle and in the external auditory canal
• Lower motor neuron facial nerve paralysis due to affection of the geniculate ganglion of the facial nerve.
• May be associated with sensory-neural hearing loss and vertigo due to affection of the cochleo-vestibular nerve (Ramsey-Hunt syndrome).

-Treatment:-
1.Anti-viral therapy as acyclovir (oral and local).
2.Corticosteroids (oral and local) in severe cases with affection of the facial and or cochleo-vestibular nerves.

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