Clinical and MRI findings in a patient with zoster oticus (Ramsay-Hunt syndrome)

We present a case of a 54-year old man with Ramsay-Hunt syndrome. The chara cteristic constellation of facial nerve paralysis in association with herpe tic eruption (in our patient in dermatome C-2) and complications of vestibu lo-cochlear dysfunction was present. The trigeminal nerve and cervical derm atome C-2 were also involved. MRI showed an abnormal enhancement of the fac ial nerve involving the geniculate ganglion, After systemic acyclovir thera py most symptoms recovered with the exception of hearing loss.