Vol. 6, Issue 1, Part A (2024)

Ramsay Hunt Syndrome (RHS) arises due to the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) manifesting as peripheral facial paralysis (PFP), periauricular pain, vesicular eruptions in the external auditory canal and ear, and vestibulocochlear dysfunction. Although RHS is uncommon in children, it ranks as the second most prevalent cause of non-traumatic facial paralysis in childhood. Diagnosis hinges on clinical evaluation, and the recommended treatment involves a combination of high-dose corticosteroids and acyclovir. This case study focuses on a 13-year-old adolescent with right ear pain, without fever. Within four hours of admission to the emergency room (ER), the patient developed a vesiculobullous rash in the right auditory canal and exhibited signs of lower motor neuron-type facial paralysis. RHS was considered, prompting the initiation of treatment with acyclovir and prednisolone, resulting in progressive clinical improvement. This underscores the importance of thorough examination and prompt initiation of therapy in suspected cases of RHS. This approach enhances the recovery rate of facial nerve paralysis and positively influences the disease prognosis.