Ramsay Hunt Syndrome

In News

•  Canadian pop singer Justin Bieber has been diagnosed with a condition called ‘Ramsay Hunt Syndrome’.

What is the Ramsay Hunt syndrome?

• About: 
  • It is a rare neurological disorder caused by the varicella-zoster virus of the human herpesvirus family. 
  • It is characterised by facial paralysis and may also present as ear abnormalities, including ringing in the ears, earache, or hearing loss.
  • The disorder, also called herpes zoster oticus, was first documented by neurologist James Ramsay Hunt.
• Impacts: 
  • It results in the inflammation of the facial nerve that controls expressions and movement of the face.
  • Early-stage infection of the varicella-zoster virus causes chickenpox in humans, but the virus often remains dormant in the body long after the condition has passed. 

• Symptoms: 
  • It usually begins with pain in the ear on the affected side of the face in around 55 per cent of patients with the disorder. 
    • Facial paralysis and vesicles (small fluid-filled sacs or blisters) appear in 2-3 days.

• It accounts for approximately 7 percent of acute facial paralysis cases, and patients who are immunocompromised have a higher chance of suffering from a more acute period of being infected and less complete recovery. 

• Treatment: 
  • The condition is reportedly self-limiting in nature, so treatment is mostly focussed on reducing pain, preventing later complications and decreasing the duration of the illness.
  • “It is very important to consult a doctor within three days of the onset of the symptoms, otherwise residual weakness can bother you for a longer time period.

Is Ramsay Hunt Syndrome similar to Bell’s palsy?

• Bell’s palsy is a case of facial muscle weakness or paralysis that can be set off suddenly.
•  It is not considered to be a permanent condition, although in some rare cases, it can last for longer periods of time. 
  • Patients of Bell’s palsy usually show full recovery.
• In comparison, patients of Ramsay Hunt syndrome may have a more severe paralysis at the onset of the disorder and may not recover completely. 
  • Only 70 percent of patients with Ramsay Hunt syndrome regain normal or near-normal facial function compared to over 90 per cent in Bell’s palsy.

Source:IE