What is Ramsay Hunt syndrome also known as?
Herpes zoster oticus or shingles of the facial nerve.
List 3 causes of reactivation of the latent varicella-zoster virus.
Immunocompromised states, systemic diseases and ageing.
What is the anatomical site of reactivation of the latent varicella-zoster virus in Ramsay Hunt syndrome?
The virus reactivates in the facial nerve geniculate ganglion.
Image 1: loss of ipsilateral(left) eye closure-lagophthalmos.
Image 2: varicella-zoster vesicular rash predominantly left tongue.
Image 3: developing varicella-zoster vesicular rash and erythema involving the left external ear (left triangular fossa, concha cymba, concha cavum, antitragus and intertragic notch).
Image 4: normal contralateral right external ear.
The patient kindly gave permission to photograph her clinical features for teaching purposes.