title: Early diagnosis and treatment of Ramsay Hunt syndrome: the role of magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology and Radiology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Drago
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Proops
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Chavda
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000209:etiology; D016697:Herpes Zoster Oticus / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000212:Acyclovir