Definition: A syndrome characterized by facial palsy in association with a herpetic eruption of the external auditory meatus. This may occasionally be associated with tinnitus, vertigo, deafness, severe otalgia, and inflammation of the pinna. The condition is caused by reactivation of a latent HERPESVIRUS 3, HUMAN infection which causes inflammation of the facial and vestibular nerves, and may occasionally involve additional cranial nerves. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p757)
do not confuse entry term RAMSAY HUNT SYNDROME with RAMSAY HUNT PARALYSIS SYNDROME see PARKINSONIAN DISORDERS or RAMSAY HUNT CEREBELLAR SYNDROME see MYOCLONIC CEREBELLAR DYSSYNERGlA
See AlsoFacial Paralysis
