Early diagnosis and treatment of Ramsay Hunt syndrome: the role of magnetic resonance imaging

We present the case of a 47-year-old woman with left otalgia, rotatory vertigo, sensorineural hearing loss and acute facial nerve palsy. An enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed discrete enhancement of the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves in the left internal auditory canal as wel...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of laryngology and otology 1995-08, Vol.109 (8), p.777-780
Main Authors: Kuo, M. J., Drago, P. C., Proops, D. W., Chavda, S. V.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acyclovir - therapeutic use
Biological and medical sciences
Facial paralysis
Facial Paralysis - etiology
Female
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural - etiology
Herpes zoster oticus
Herpes Zoster Oticus - complications
Herpes Zoster Oticus - diagnosis
Herpes Zoster Oticus - drug therapy
Human viral diseases
Humans
Infectious diseases
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Radiology in Focus
Viral diseases
Viral diseases of the respiratory system and ent viral diseases
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Summary:We present the case of a 47-year-old woman with left otalgia, rotatory vertigo, sensorineural hearing loss and acute facial nerve palsy. An enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed discrete enhancement of the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves in the left internal auditory canal as well as of the labyrinth. This appearance was compatible with that in Ramsay Hunt syndrome and acyclovir was started prior to the appearance of any vesicular eruption. The diagnosis was subsequently confirmed serologically. She regained full facial function but the sensorineural hearing loss persisted. The literature pertaining to the role of the MRI in acute facial palsies is reviewed.
ISSN:0022-2151
1748-5460
DOI:10.1017/S0022215100131305