The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Bell's Palsy and Ramsay-Hunt Syndrome: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: This article presents a comprehensive review of data on the impact of facial palsy during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The possible causes and pathophysiological mechanisms of changes in the epidemiology of facial palsy during the COVID-19 pandemic are also discussed. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 943 patients diagnosed with Bell's palsy or Ramsay Hunt syndrome. This study compared patient demographics, comorbidities, symptoms, and treatments before the COVID-19 pandemic (from 2017 to 2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic, from 2020 to 2022). RESULTS: Following the COVID-19 outbreak, there has been a significant increase in the number of cases of Bell's palsy, particularly among elderly individuals with diabetes. Bell's palsy increased after the COVID-19 outbreak, rising from 75.3% in the pre-COVID-19 era to 83.6% after the COVID-19 outbreak. The complete recovery rate decreased from 88.2% to 73.9%, and the rate of recurrence increased from 2.9% to 7.5% in patients with Bell's palsy. Ramsay Hunt syndrome showed fewer changes in clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the presentation and management of facial palsy, and suggests potential associations with COVID-19. Notably, the observed increase in Bell's palsy cases among elderly individuals with diabetes emphasizes the impact of the pandemic. Identifying the epidemiological changes in facial palsy during the COVID-19 pandemic has important implications for assessing its etiology and pathological mechanisms of facial palsy disease.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome and concurrent varicella-zoster virus meningitis in Denmark: A nationwide cohort study.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS) is a manifestation of reactivated varicella-zoster virus (VZV) from the geniculate ganglion. Data on clinical features and outcomes of patients with RHS and concurrent VZV meningitis (henceforth RHS meningitis) are limited. Thus, we conducted a nationwide population-based cohort study of all adults hospitalized for RHS meningitis at the departments of infectious diseases in Denmark from 2015 to 2020. Patients with VZV meningitis without cranial nerve palsies were included for comparison. In total, 37 patients with RHS meningitis (mean annual incidence: 1.6/1 000 000 adults) and 162 with VZV meningitis without cranial nerve palsies were included. In RHS meningitis, the median age was 52 years (interquartile range: 35-64), and in addition to peripheral facial nerve palsy (100%), dizziness (46%), and hearing loss (35%) were common symptoms. The triad of headache, neck stiffness, and photophobia/hyperacusis was less common in RHS meningitis than in VZV meningitis without cranial nerve palsies (0/27 [0%] vs. 24/143 [17%]; p = 0.02). At 30 days after discharge, 18/36 (50%) patients with RHS meningitis had persistent peripheral facial nerve palsy, with no statistically significant difference between those treated with and without adjuvant glucocorticoids (6/16 [38%] vs. 12/20 [60%]; p = 0.18). Additional sequelae of RHS meningitis included dizziness (29%), neuralgia (14%), tinnitus/hyperacusis (11%), hearing loss (9%), headache (9%), fatigue (6%), and concentration difficulties (3%). In conclusion, clinical features and outcomes of RHS meningitis were primarily related to cranial neuropathies.

Clinical characteristics of herpes zoster laryngitis.

INTRODUCTION: Herpes zoster laryngitis (HZL) is a recently recognized rare disease, easily mistaken for common viral laryngopharyngitis. There are only a few case reports in the English literature. No study has evaluated the clinical characteristics of HZL. In this study, we analyzed the clinical characteristics of HZL and compared them to those of Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-three patients who were initially diagnosed with HZL or RHS were enrolled in this study. Their medical records, including laryngoscopic findings, were analyzed retrospectively. The demographic factors, cranial nerve involvement, and recovery rate of both groups were evaluated. RESULTS: Sixty patients in the non-HZL group and 13 patients in the HZL group were analyzed. Five more patients in the non-HZL group were newly identified with HZL during the retrospective chart review. The mean age of the patients in the HZL group was higher than that of the non-HZL group (p = 0.016). The prevalence of hypertension was higher in the HZL group (p = 0.012). Patients with multiple cranial nerve involvement were more common in the HZL group (p < 0.001). In addition, the prognosis of facial weakness (p = 0.002) and multisensory dizziness (p = 0.006) was poor in HZL group. CONCLUSION: This study showed that a considerable proportion of HZL cases were misdiagnosed or overlooked if not suspected. Considering the poor prognosis of HZL patients with facial paralysis and dizziness, HZL should be diagnosed earlier and treated properly.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome: a rare complication of herpes zoster infection in a lung cancer patient.

Objectives: Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS) is a rare complication of varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation with high morbidity, requiring swift and specific treatment. Methods: We discuss the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of RHS using a case report of a cancer patient who presented with disseminated VZV reactivation, including RHS. Results: A 68-year old man with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma, for which he received pemetrexed maintenance chemotherapy, presented to the emergency department with a progressive skin rash despite broad spectrum antibiotics, vertigo, and diminished hearing. Valacyclovir was started for a varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation. Despite antiviral therapy, his symptoms progressed with late appearance of vesicles in the external ear canal, leading to a diagnosis of Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS). Conclusion: RHS is a rare complication of VZV reactivation and can lead to peripheral facial nerve palsy, hearing loss, vestibular problems, and vesicles in the dermatome of the cranial nerve. Timely initiation of steroids and antiviral therapy lead to recovery of the facial nerve in >75% of cases, although the optimal therapy is still unclear.

Novel pre-therapeutic scoring system using patient and haematological data to predict facial palsy prognosis.

OBJECTIVES: We describe a novel scoring system, the facial Palsy Prognosis Prediction score (PPP score), which we test for reliability in predicting pre-therapeutic prognosis of facial palsy. We aimed to use readily available patient data that all clinicians have access to before starting treatment. DESIGN: Multicenter case series with chart review. SETTING: Three tertiary care hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: We obtained haematological and demographic data from 468 facial palsy patients who were treated between 2010 and 2014 in three tertiary care hospitals. Patients were categorised as having Bell's palsy or Ramsey Hunt's palsy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We compared the data of recovered and unrecovered patients. PPP scores consisted of combinatorial threshold values of continuous patient data (eg platelet count) and categorical variables (eg gender) that best predicted recovery. We created separate PPP scores for Bell's palsy patients (PPP-B) and for Ramsey Hunt's palsy patients (PPP-H). RESULTS: The PPP-B score included age (≥65 years), gender (male) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (≥2.9). The PPP-H score included age (≥50 years), monocyte rate (≥6.0%), mean corpuscular volume (≥95 fl) and platelet count (≤200 000 /µL). Patient recovery rate significantly decreased with increasing PPP scores (both PPP-B and PPP-H) in a step-wise manner. PPP scores (ie PPP-B score and PPP-H score) ≥2 were associated with worse than average prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Palsy Prognosis Prediction scores are useful for predicting prognosis of facial palsy before beginning treatment.

Vibration- and hyperventilation-induced nystagmus in patients with Ramsay Hunt syndrome with vertigo.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to compare vibration-induced nystagmus (VIN) and hyperventilation-induced nystagmus (HVIN) findings in patients with Ramsay Hunt syndrome with vertigo (RHS-V), sudden sensorineural hearing loss with vertigo (SSNHL-V), and vestibular neuritis (VN) during the acute stage and to address the possible lesion sites of vestibular deficit in RHS-V. STUDY DESIGN: Case series with chart review. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective case series study in 27 patients with SSNHL-V, 104 patients with VN, and 17 patients with RHS-V and evaluated the findings of VIN and HVIN tests. RESULTS: An abnormal VIN was observed in 91% of the patients with VN, 89% of those with SSNHL-V, and 94% of those with RHS-V, and the prevalence of abnormal VIN was not significantly different (P = .436). An abnormal HVIN was observed in 51% of the patients with VN, 22% of those with SSNHL-V, and 59% of those with RHS-V. While the prevalence of an abnormal HVIN was significantly different between SSNHL-V and VN groups (P = .007) and between SSNHL-V and RHS-V groups (P = .014), that between VN and RHS-V groups did not show a significant difference (P = .547). CONCLUSION: Since the results of HVIN in RHS-V patients were more similar to those in VN patients than those in SSNHL-V patients, a lesioned site may be more likely within the vestibular nerve than the inner ear as a cause for vestibular deficit in patients with RHS-V who show caloric canal paresis of 25% or greater.

Herpes zoster laryngitis and Ramsay-Hunt syndrome in a patient with chronic renal failure.

OBJECTIVE: We report on a clinical case of simultaneous and unilateral involvement of the facial and superior laryngeal nerve in a patient with chronic renal disease undergoing haemodialysis. METHOD: A 75-year-old man with chronic renal failure was referred to our department suffering from severe odynophagia. During flexible endoscopy, vesicles were found on the mucosa of his right supraglottic larynx. Two days later, peripheral facial nerve palsy with a mild auricular rash appeared in the patient. RESULTS: The clinical presentation suggested varicella-zoster virus reactivation, which was confirmed serologically, and appropriate treatment was administered. CONCLUSIONS: Involvement of more than one cranial nerve in herpes zoster infection is possible, especially in vulnerable patients such as those with chronic renal failure. It is also important to suspect involvement of the superior laryngeal nerve in cases of odynophagia and throat pain, even when hoarseness is absent.

Síndrome de Ramsay Hunt: nuestra experiencia / Ramsay Hunt syndrome: our experience

Introducción: El síndrome de Ramsay Hunt (SRH) es causado por el virus Varicela-Zoster (VVZ) y está caracterizado clínicamente por erupciones cutáneas a nivel auricular, parálisis facial periférica (PFP), y afectación cócleo-vestibular. Objetivo: Analizar la evolución clínica de los síntomas más frecuentes del SRH y valorar la evolución de los mismos en un período superior a los 6 meses. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo que incluye a todos los pacientes que acudieron al servicio de urgencias con el diagnóstico de SRH entre enero de 1995 y diciembre de 2004, y que fueron controlados por un período superior a los 6 meses. Resultados: Total de 54 pacientes. Rango de edad: 16 y 74 años, media de 49 años. El 7,5% de los pacientes debutaron con PFP seguido de síntomas cócleo-vestibulares mientras que el 20,2% presentaron de forma concomitante ambos síntomas. El 72,4% presentó clínica cócleo-vestibular previa a la PFP. La otodinia se presentó en un 83% en las primeras 48h. La hipoacusia fue referida en el 26% de los enfermos, acúfenos en un 7% y síntomas vestibulares en 84% de los casos. Conclusión: La recuperación de la PFP se relaciona con el grado de afectación inicial. Las manifestaciones cócleo-vestibulares son más frecuentes en pacientes con un mayor grado de afectación del nervio facial. La hipoacusia suele presentar una evolución tórpida. Los síntomas vestibulares tienen una buena respuesta clínica. La hipoacusia puede pasar inadvertida en estos pacientes y debe ser siempre confirmada con las pruebas complementarias (AU)

Introduction: Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS) is a disease caused by the Varicella Zoster virus and characterised by skin rash, peripheral facial palsy and otologic symptoms. Objective: This was an epidemiological study on the incidence and prognosis of this syndrome. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out on the patients diagnosed with RHS who were seen in the emergency room between January 1995 and December 2004, and were followed up for more than 6 months. Results: Of the 54 patients included in this study, 7.5% had facial palsy as their first symptom, followed by otologic signs (20.2% had both simultaneously); 72.5% presented otologic signs before facial palsy. Hypoacusis was reported in 26% of the patients, but was objectively present in all of them. The level of facial palsy determined the prognosis. Conclusion: In this syndrome, the prognosis of facial palsy depends on the initial symptoms and clinical findings. Otologic symptoms occur more frequently in patients having a greater degree of facial nerve affectation. Vestibular symptoms have a good prognosis. Hypoacusis is much more frequent than reported; as it may go unnoticed in these patients, it should always be confirmed by complementary tests (AU)

A population-based study of the incidence and complication rates of herpes zoster before zoster vaccine introduction.

OBJECTIVE: To establish accurate, up-to-date, baseline epidemiological data for herpes zoster (HZ) before the introduction of the recently licensed HZ vaccine. METHODS: Using data from January 1, 1996, to October 15, 2005, we conducted a population-based study of adult residents (Greater than or equal to 22 years) of Olmsted County, MN, to determine (by medical record review) the incidence of HZ and the rate of HZ-related complications. Incidence rates were determined by age and sex and adjusted to the US population. RESULTS: A total of 1669 adult residents with a confirmed diagnosis of HZ were identified between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2001. Most (92%) of these patients were immunocompetent and 60% were women. When adjusted to the US adult population, the incidence of HZ was 3.6 per 1000 person-years (95% confidence interval, 3.4-3.7), with a temporal increase from 3.2 to 4.1 per 1000 person-years from 1996 to 2001. The incidence of HZ and the rate of HZ-associated complications increased with age, with 68% of cases occurring in those aged 50 years and older. Postherpetic neuralgia occurred in 18% of adult patients with HZ and in 33% of those aged 79 years and older. Overall, 10% of all patients with HZ experienced 1 or more nonpain complications. CONCLUSIONS: Our population-based data suggest that HZ primarily affects immunocompetent adults older than 50 years; 1 in 4 experiences some type of HZ-related complication.

[Herpes zoster oticus: symptom constellation and serological diagnosis]. / Untersuchungen zum Zoster oticus.

BACKGROUND: Herpes zoster oticus is a rare illness with cutaneous symptoms (eruptions) and a colored picture of brain nerve failures. The clinical symptoms, the symptom constellation, diagnostics and therapy, however, have been examined till now only in few studies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study 91 cases of a zoster oticus were looked at in retrospect from the complete archives of the university ENT clinic Jena/Germany in the period from 1932 to 2001. Inclusion criterion was the occurrence eruptions in the ear region. The demographic data, subjective and objective symptoms, the symptom constellations, diagnostic methods and the therapy were arranged. RESULTS: Women (68.1 %) were concerned more frequently than men (31.9 %). The average illness age was 51.2 days. The prodromal stage lasted for 2.2 days in the average. Earache (50.2 %) and headache (11.0 %) were the most frequent first symptoms. No prodroma appeared in 27.5 % of the cases. The facial nerve (86.8 %) was most frequently affected, the vestibular nerve in 76.9 % and the cochlear nerve in 36.3 %. Other brain nerve damages were extremly rare. The therapy success was identical with regard to the brain nerve regeneration at all times. A positive antibody titer for VZV-IgM and/or IgA or an IgG is a sign for an acute infektion. VZV-IgA antibody titers appeared more constantly, frequent and early than an IgM. CONCLUSIONS: Women have a greater risk of falling ill at a zoster oticus than men. Although more than 72 hours is behind the beginning of the symptoms in this study, treatment with virostatic drugs should always be carried out in zoster oticus. Different therapy methods do not have any influence to the success therapy of the therapy. The facial nerve showed the best cure trend. A postzosteric pain develops approximately the half of the cases at the zoster oticus. The serological diagnostic is not necessary in clinically clear cases.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome in children.

In a retrospective study, 52 children were diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome. The facial palsy was milder and complete recovery of the function was achieved in 78.6% of patients. Associated cranial neuropathies were less common in children than in adults. The timing of vesicle appearance tended to be delayed in children. In preschool children, Ramsay Hunt syndrome was rare, although the frequency has recently increased. The syndrome is relatively common in older children. This study suggested that vaccination can prevent or reduce the occurrence of Ramsay Hunt syndrome.

[Clinical features and prognosis of facial palsy and hearing loss in patients with Ramsay Hunt syndrome].

Clinical studies were performed on 325 patients with Ramsay Hunt syndrome who were treated in the Facial Nerve Clinic at Ehime University Hospital between 1976 and 1995. The clinical manifestations of Ramsay Hunt syndrome were various. Three major symptoms, auricular vesicles, facial paralysis and vestibulo-cochlear dysfunction, were found in 57.6% of the patients although these symptoms did not always appear simultaneously. Auricular vesicles appeared before (19.3%), during (46.5%), or after (34.2%) the onset of facial paralysis. Hearing loss was observed subjectively in only 20% but objectively in 48.2% of the patients. Hearing loss appeared before (34.3%), during (34.3%), or after (31.3%) the onset of facial paralysis. Complete recovery from facial paralysis was achieved in 52.4% of the patients. Good recovery of the facial nerve function was achieved in patients who had zoster vesicles or vestibulo-cochlear dysfunction preceding the development of facial paralysis. Complete recovery of hearing was also achieved in 45.4% of the patients, and the recovery was better in patients having light hearing loss, less than 35dB. The patients younger than 16 years old showed better recovery from both facial paralysis and hearing loss than the patients older than 60 years. Glossopharyngeal nerve or vagal nerve paralysis concomitant with facial paralysis was found in 8 (2.5%) patients. The outcome of glossopharyngeal nerve paralysis was good but that of the vagal nerve was poor.