Ramsay Hunt Syndrome Associated with True Vocal Cord Palsy- A Case Report

Document Type : Case Report

Authors

1 Sinus and Surgical Endoscopic Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

2 Departments of Otorhinolaryngology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction:
Varicella-zoster virus may cause an infectious disease called Ramsay Hunt syndrome. The related symptoms include facial nerve palsy (FNP), otalgia, the vesicular eruptions of the auricle and external auditory canal, less common ocular movement disorder, facial hypoesthesia, myofascial pain, vestibular symptoms, hearing loss, dysphasia, vocal cord paralysis, as well as tongue paralysis due to cranial neuropathies.
 
Case Report:
 Herein, we presented the case of a 55-year-old man with left peripheral facial nerve palsy, profound hearing loss, and true vocal cord paralysis. The FNP recovered after 2 weeks and synkinesis totally improved after 4 weeks.
 
Conclusion:
Ramsay Hunt syndrome may present as cranial polyneuropathy; therefore, accurate history taking and physical examinations are necessary in this regard. The recovery rate of the vagus nerve is probably fair without polyneuropathy; however, it seems to be poor in cases suffering from polyneuropathy.

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References

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Iranian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology
Volume 31, Issue 2
March and April 2019
Pages 115-118

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