Ramsay Hunt syndrome, also called herpes zoster oticus, comes late after a chickenpox infection. It affects the geniculate ganglion of cranial nerve VII, causing issues. Symptoms include a part of the face being paralyzed, pain in the ear, and small bumps near the ear.
It can be hard to diagnose Ramsay Hunt syndrome, leading to problems. Doctors work to reduce sickness time, ease pain, and avoid issues. Using stem cell therapy is a new hopeful way to treat it.
Key Takeaways:
- Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a neurological disorder caused by varicella-zoster virus infection.
- It involves facial paralysis, ear pain, and the presence of vesicles near the ear.
- Diagnosis can be challenging, leading to potential long-term complications.
- Treatment aims to shorten the duration of the illness, provide pain relief, and prevent complications.
- Stem cell therapy offers a promising treatment option for Ramsay Hunt syndrome.
Clinical Signs and Symptoms of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome
Ramsay Hunt syndrome shows up differently in each person. But, some common signs and symptoms are usually present. These can include:
- One common sign is facial paralysis on one side. This means the muscles on one side of the face are weak or paralyzed. As a result, the face doesn’t look even.
- Many feel intense ear pain, called otalgia, on the same side as the paralyzed face. The pain can be light or very sharp and severe.
- A rash of small, fluid-filled blisters often appears close to the ear and auditory canal. It can also be red and swollen.
- Sometimes, there’s facial paralysis and ear pain without a rash. This is called zoster sine herpete. It makes diagnosis hard because it looks like Bell’s palsy and means “shingles without a rash.”
Ramsay Hunt syndrome varies widely. For instance, some may have facial paralysis first, then notice a rash later. Others might never see a rash. Besides the main signs, other symptoms reported include:
- Changes in taste
- Problems with dry eyes or tearing
- Increase in sensitivity to sounds (hyperacusis)
- Having a stuffy nose (nasal obstruction)
- Difficulty speaking (dysarthria)
- Hearing loss or ringing in the ears (tinnitus) due to nerve involvement
- Dizziness or a spinning sensation (vertigo)
- Hoarse voice or trouble swallowing (aspiration) from vagus nerve involvement
Causes, Epidemiology, and Pathophysiology of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome
The varicella-zoster virus causes Ramsay Hunt syndrome. It belongs to the human herpesvirus family. After the first infection, the virus stays hidden in our nerves. Later, stress or a weak immune system brings it back, causing Ramsay Hunt syndrome.
This syndrome can affect people with or without a strong immune system. About 5 out of 100,000 people get it each year. Things like stress, chemo, a weak immune system, illness, and poor diet make it more likely. The virus wakes up near the face nerve and causes part of the face to become paralyzed.
Near the face nerve is the hearing and balance nerve. This close relationship can lead to hearing loss, a ringing in the ear (tinnitus), and dizziness. Ramsay Hunt syndrome damages the nerve, leading to a combination of facial weakness, twitching, and tightness.