title: [Ramsay Hunt syndrome in children: four cases and review].
abstract: Ramsay-Hunt Syndrome (RHS) is a rare affection characterized by peripheral facial paralysis (PFP), skin eruption in the auricular canal and cochleovestibular symptoms. It is produced by varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation at the geniculate ganglia. We report four patients between 3 and 17 years-old with RHS. Earache was the first symptom in two cases and three had cochleovestibular compromise. The direct immunofluorescence from the vesicular lesion was positive for VZV in two of them. All patients received treatment with aeyelovir and in three cases, this was associated with steroids. Three children had complete resolution of the PFP. RHS is an infrequent disease in the pediatric population and it should be suspected in children with PFP, erythema, vesicles and/or auricular pain. Early treatment with aeyelovir therapy could improve the recovery rate of facial nerve palsy.
authors.affiliation: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Departamento de Pediatría, Servicio de Pediatría.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sandoval C
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Núñez F
authors.forename: Macarena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lizama C
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Margarit S
authors.forename: Katia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abarca V
authors.forename: Raúl
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Escobar H
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000293:Adolescent; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D016697:Herpes Zoster Oticus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D011241:Prednisone; D000212:Acyclovir