title: Delayed facial palsy after middle-ear surgery due to reactivation of varicella-zoster virus.
abstract: Viral reactivation is thought to be an important cause of post-operative facial palsy of delayed onset. We present an unusual case of Ramsay-Hunt syndrome that occurred as a consequence of middle-ear surgery by triggering varicella-zoster virus reactivation. As a pathognomonic auricular eruption was not seen, the patient was initially misdiagnosed as iatrogenic facial palsy. Clinical features, diagnosis and management are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Ehime University Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gyo
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Honda
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D016697:Herpes Zoster Oticus / Q000150:complications*; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000821:virology*; D014433:Tympanoplasty; D014775:Virus Activation
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral