A Case of Ramsay-Hunt Syndrome

ABSTRACT

Ramsay Hunt Syndrome was initially described by Ramsay Hunt in 1907 as herpes zoster of the geniculate ganglion. The frequency of RHS in patients with herpes zoster has been calculated to be about 1%. RHS affects mostly adults; however a small number of children with herpes zoster oticus have been reported. We describe a case of RHS in a healthy 39/12-year-old boy. A complete peripheral facial palsy on the left side was noted as well as vesicles of herpes zoster type on the pinna of the same side. The analysis of sera confirmed the clinical diagnosis of RHS with a positive IgG-ELISA antibody titier. Treatment of acyclovir was tried for 7 days, starting 2 days after facial palsy was objerved. In addition, oral prednisolon, divided into two doses per day, was administered for 5 days and then tapered to zero over the following 10 days. Complete recovery observed after 1 month.