J Korean Neurol Assoc.  2017 Nov;35(4):223-226. 10.17340/jkna.2017.4.8.

Herpes Zoster Oticus without Facial Palsy and Hearing Loss Masquerading as Vestibular Neuritis

• Ha H
• Kim J
• Kim JH
• Lee SH

• KMID: 2405983
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.17340/jkna.2017.4.8

Abstract

Herpes zoster oticus, also called Ramsay-Hunt syndrome, involves the geniculate ganglion and presents with facial nerve palsy, sensorineural hearing loss, vestibular dysfunction, and auricular vesicular lesion. In this case, the patient presented with isolated vestibular dysfunctions without facial palsy and hearing impairment, and these findings were confirmed by electrophysiologic studies including video head impulse testing. Clinicians should be aware of this variation, and differentiate it from vestibular neuritis which usually does not require intensive antiviral therapies.

Keyword

Vestibular neuritis; Herpes zoster; Ramsay hunt syndrome

MeSH Terms

Facial Nerve
Facial Paralysis*
Geniculate Ganglion
Head Impulse Test
Hearing Loss*
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural
Hearing*
Herpes Zoster Oticus*
Herpes Zoster*
Humans
Paralysis
Vestibular Neuronitis*