Ramsay Hunt syndrome
Ramsay Hunt syndrome, named after James Ramsay Hunt (American neurologist 1872 - 1937) is also known as herpes zoster oticus, is essentially shingles of the facial nerve. Latent infection is present in the geniculate ganglion with painful vesicles presenting in the external acoustic meatus, tympanic membrane and ponna associated with facial palsy. There may be involvement of the vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII) in which case vertigo, sensory neural hearing loss (SNHL) and tinnitus may be present.
Imaging is identical to that seen in Bell's palsy, with increased enhancement of the facial nerve. Care should be taken not to mistake normal facial nerve enhancement on MRI for that seen in RHS.
