Journal of the Korean Balance Society  2006;5(2):311-316

A Case of Herpes Zoster Oticus Involving Vestibular Nerve without Facial Nerve Palsy .

Sung Hyun BOO ; Kwon Hyo BOK ; Nam Gyu RYU ; Won Ho CHUNG

Keywords

Herpes zoster oticus; Vestibular nerve; Vertigo; Dizziness

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

Herpes zoster oticus (Ramsay Hunt syndrome) is characterized by facial nerve paralysis associated with vesticular eruptions and cochleovestibular symptoms. Many evidences have supported that it is caused by the reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus in the geniculate ganglion. Recently we experienced a case 49-year-old man presented severe vertigo and a vesicular eruptions of auricle and external ear canal. It is an unusual variant of herpes zoster oticus that involves only vestibular nerve without facial nerve palsy and hearing loss. We believe this case results from reactivation of latent varicella zoster virus in the vestibular ganglion and report with a review of literatures.