title: Clinical manifestations and prognosis of patients with Ramsay Hunt syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patients with Ramsay Hunt syndrome have a poorer prognosis than those with Bell palsy despite the use of various treatment modalities. We compared the clinical characteristics, treatment methods, and outcomes in patients with Ramsay Hunt syndrome and Bell palsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with Ramsay Hunt syndrome were compared with patients with Bell palsy treated using oral steroids and with those treated with both steroids and an antiviral agent. Functional recovery of the facial nerve was scored according to the House-Brackmann grading system. Patients were followed up until recovery or for 3 months. Recovery rates in each group were assessed by age, sex, and initial and last House-Brackmann grade.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with patients with Bell palsy, those with Ramsay Hunt syndrome were generally younger, had initially more severe facial palsy, and a lower recovery rate. Various factors including initial House-Brackmann grade, starting time to treatment, age, comorbid disease, electroneurography, and electromyography showed some correlations with prognosis in all groups. The addition of antiviral agents to an oral steroid regimen did not improve the recovery rate of patients with Bell palsy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with Ramsay Hunt syndrome have a poorer prognosis than do those with Bell palsy.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.
authors: Eun Woong
authors: EW
authors: Ryu
authors: Ho Yun
authors: HY
authors: Lee
authors: So Yoon
authors: SY
authors: Lee
authors: Moon Suh
authors: MS
authors: Park
authors: Seung Geun
authors: SG
authors: Yeo
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016697:Herpes Zoster Oticus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids