[Herpes zoster oticus with cranial nerve affection].
Herpes zoster oticus (HZO) with cranial polyneuropathy is also known as Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS). After primary varicella infection, the varicella zoster virus (VZV) remains dormant in the nervous system and can reactivate later in life causing RHS. This case describes a 56-year-old man with HZO and palsy of N. V, VII, VIII, IX, X and XII. Anti-viral agents might be effective in patients with RHS, although the only randomized controlled clinical trial on this subject found no significant benefit. There are no randomized controlled trials to support the use of corticosteroid therapy.
Lauridsen
Anita Guldager
AG
Arhus Sygehus, Ore-, nase- og halsafdelingen, Denmark. anitalauridsen@webspeed.dk
Mirz
Frank
F
D003389:Cranial Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D016697:Herpes Zoster Oticus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy