Ramsay Hunt syndrome type 2

Clinic

• Inflammation of the geniculate ganglion of the facial nerve
• It is a late consequence of VZV known as Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS)
• Commonly known as herpes zoster oticus.
• Less than 1% of varicella zoster infections involve the facial nerve and result in RHS.
• It can lead to Vestibular Neuritis, which is one of peripheral vertigo causes

Signs and symptoms

Triad of

• Ipsilateral facial paralysis
• Otalgia
• Vesicles close to Ear / Auditory canal

Acute symptoms include:

• Acute facial nerve paralysis
• Pain in the ear, jaw and/or neck
• Taste loss in the front two-thirds of the tongue
• Dry mouth and eyes
• Erythematous vesicular rash in the ear canal, the tongue, and/or hard palate.

Because the vestibulocochlear nerve is in proximity to the geniculate ganglion, it may also be affected and patients may also experience:^{[citation needed]}

• Tinnitus
• Hearing loss
• Hyperacusis
• Vertigo

The swallow reflex might also be affected.

Involvement of the trigeminal nerve can cause numbness of the face.^{[citation needed]}