<\/span><\/h2>\nRamsay Hunt syndrome is rare peripheral<\/span> facial neuropathy<\/span>. It is a type of shingles due to the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV) in the geniculate. ganglion<\/span> of the VII cranial nerve, which supplies the facial nerve.<\/p>\n\n- Ramsay Hunt syndrome is characterized by unilateral<\/span> facial weakness and painful blisters, either in the ear canal on the same side as the facial paralysis or inside the mouth.<\/li>\n
- Sometimes cranial nerve VIII involvement produces auditory (hearing) and\/or vestibular (dizziness) symptoms. Infection<\/span> can also extend to cranial nerves<\/span> III, IV, V, VI, IX, X, XI and XII.<\/li>\n
- Blisters may be absent in some patients, in which case the infection is known as zoster sine herpete.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is also known as herpes zoster oticus, geniculate ganglionitis, Ramsay Hunt disease, and Hunt syndrome. The name was coined by neurologist James Ramsay Hunt in 1907.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Who gets Ramsay Hunt syndrome?<\/span><\/h2>\nRamsay Hunt syndrome occurs in people with a history of chickenpox (chickenpox).<\/p>\n
\n- Ramsay Hunt syndrome is rare, it has a incidence<\/span> of approximately 5 per 100,000 inhabitants.<\/li>\n
- It is slightly more common in women than in men.<\/li>\n
- Ramsay Hunt syndrome is mainly seen in adults, particularly people over 60 years of age, but is rarely seen in children.<\/li>\n
- The 12% of peripheral facial nerve palsies are attributable to Ramsay Hunt syndrome.<\/li>\n
- Ramsay Hunt syndrome is the second most common cause of nontraumatic<\/span> peripheral facial paralysis<\/span>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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<\/span>What causes Ramsay Hunt syndrome?<\/span><\/h2>\nAfter primary<\/span> VZV infection (i.e. chickenpox), there is a latent<\/span> period where VZV remains inactive in the neurons<\/span> of the cranial nerves, the dorsal<\/span> root ganglion and autonomic<\/span> ganglia<\/span>. Reactivation of VZV in the geniculate ganglion of the VII cranial nerve is what leads to the syndrome. VZV can also spread axons<\/span> from other cranial nerves that share a blood supply with the geniculate ganglion.<\/p>\nVZV reactivation is most likely for:<\/p>\n
\n- Individuals with immunodeficiency, such as infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV<\/span>) or malignancy<\/span>\n<\/li>\n
- People on immunosuppressive treatment, corticosteroids, chemotherapy<\/span>or radiotherapy<\/span>\n<\/li>\n
- Individuals experiencing infection or physical or emotional stress.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span>What are the clinical characteristics of Ramsay Hunt syndrome?<\/span><\/h2>\nThe hallmark features of Ramsay Hunt syndrome are unilateral facial nerve paralysis and a painful vesicular<\/span> eruption<\/span> in the ear and the mucous<\/span> membrane of the oropharynx<\/span> or palate Around 20% patients develop facial nerve paralysis several days before the blisters appear. About 10% of Ramsay Hunt syndrome patients do not develop blisters.<\/p>\nOther symptoms of Ramsay Hunt syndrome may include:<\/p>\n
\n\n- Flu-like symptoms, like a fever<\/span> and headache, for 3 to 7 days before the rash appears<\/li>\n
- Feeling of pain or pain in the ear.<\/li>\n
- \nMacules<\/span>, papules<\/span>and uniting<\/span> vesicles<\/span> in painful places, which are then broken with crust<\/span>\n<\/li>\n
- Loss of the sensation of taste in the previous<\/span> two thirds of the tongue<\/li>\n
- Dry eyes and dry mouth<\/li>\n
- \nTinnitus<\/span>, hearing loss or hyperacusis (increased sensitivity to sound), Vertigo<\/span>, nausea and vomiting<\/li>\n
- Symptoms due to dysfunction<\/span> of other cranial nerves.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n\n
<\/span>Ramsay Hunt syndrome<\/span><\/h5>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
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Herpes infection<\/p>\n
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Facial nerve paralysis<\/p>\n
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Facial nerve paralysis<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n
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<\/span>How is Ramsay Hunt syndrome diagnosed?<\/span><\/h2>\nThe diagnosis of Ramsay Hunt syndrome is usually made clinically. The diagnosis can be confirmed by testing with a VZV Polymerase chain reaction<\/span> rehearsal (using ear exudate<\/span>) This test is particularly useful in distinguishing the zoster sine herpete variation of Ramsay Hunt syndrome from Bell's palsy (idiopathic<\/span> acute<\/span> facial nerve paralysis).<\/p>\nMagnetic resonance imaging<\/span> (Magnetic resonance<\/span>) can be carried out if there are polycranial neurological <\/span>symptoms<\/p>\n\n
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<\/span>What is the treatment for Ramsay Hunt syndrome?<\/span><\/h2>\nComplete recovery is more likely if antiviral<\/span> Treatment is started within 72 hours of the onset of symptoms. Treatment options for Ramsay Hunt syndrome are:<\/p>\n