Teaching NeuroImages: Classic Ramsay Hunt syndrome and associated MRI findings

An 85-year-old woman with dementia presented with left ear pain, vertigo, and mild left peripheral facial weakness of unclear chronicity. MRI demonstrated contrast enhancement of cranial nerves (CNs) VII and VIII consistent with Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS)1 (figure 1). She was treated with steroids and acyclovir. On evaluation 4 days later, she had developed the classic RHS triad of ear pain, ipsilateral facial paralysis, and vesicular rash, plus hyperacusis and persistent vertigo (figure 2).2

Source: Neurology - August 14, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Labin, E., Tore, H., Alkuwaiti, M., Streib, C. Tags: All Imaging, MRI, All Clinical Neurology, Post-infectious RESIDENT AND FELLOW SECTION Source Type: research