Abstract

Ramsay Hunt syndrome in children: Four cases and review Ramsay-Hunt Syndrome (RHS) is a rare affection characterized by peripheral facial paralysis (PFP), skin eruption in the auricular canal and cochleovestibular symptoms. It is produced by varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation at the geniculate ganglia. We report four patients between 3 and 17 years-old with RHS. Earache was the first symptom in two cases and three had cochleovestibular compromise. The direct immunofluorescence from the vesicular lesion was positive for VZV in two of them. All patients received treatment with acyclovir and in three cases, this was associated with steroids. Three children had complete resolution of the PFP. RHS is an infrequent disease in the pediatric population and it should be suspected in children with PFP, erythema, vesicles and/or auricular pain. Early treatment with acyclovir therapy could improve the recovery rate of facial nerve palsy. Key words: Ramsay Hunt syndrome, peripheral facial paralysis, oticus herpes zoster, varicella zoster. Palabras clave: Síndrome de Ramsay Hunt, parálisis facial periférica, herpes zoster ótico, varicela zoster