Please note that the following is a general guideline only. For a full assessment, exclusion of any other underlying cause for your symptoms and an individualised treatment approach, you will need to be seen by a qualified specialist.
DEFINITION
Herpes zoster oticus refers to a syndrome of acute otalgia accompanied by a herpetic, vesicular rash. When accompanied by facial paralysis, the syndrome is known as Ramsay Hunt syndrome.
Typical vesicles in the pinna
EPIDEMIOLOGY
Second most common cause of acute facial paralysis (second to bells)
Mostly over 60
M=F
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
is induced by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus that remains latent in the geniculate ganglion after primary infection with chickenpox.
CLINICAL SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS
Prodrome
majority have viral prodrome with otalgia up to a week before FN paralysis
Vesicles
present with severe otalgia and vesicular eruption in the distribution of the nervus intermedius (see below)
90% pinna, 21% oral (palate, uvula, buccal mucosa, tonsil and tongue)
occurs before paralysis in 55% and after in 45%
VII palsy
Usually rapid onset (sometimes take longer than 3 weeks)
Dysgeusia-due to N intermedius involvement
Hyperacuisis-Stapedius?
Other Cranial Nerves
VIII
-20-40%) include SNHL and vestibular dysfunction
-Tinnitus/ vertigo
V Altered sensation
severe ocular complications
uveitis, keratoconjunctivitis, optic neuritis, and glaucoma and are almost always associated with involvement of the V1
How This Differ from Bells
Clinical-Intense otlagia/ vesicles/ involvement of other cranial nerves
Prognosis-Worse
TREATMENT
intravenous acyclovir (10 mg/kg three times daily)
oral acyclovir (800 mg five times daily)
oral valacyclovir (500 mg three times daily) for 10 days
In combination with a 3 week tapering course of prednisone (60 to 80 mg/kg daily)