DIZZINESS-HERPES ZOSTER OTICUS

SUMMARY

1. When vestibular neuronitis is due to herpes zoster oticus (Ramsay Hunt syndrome), pain in or around the affected ear may occur.

2. This is due to reactivation of latent VZV in the geniculate ganglion.

3. Dizziness may be assoc. with hearing loss or ipsilateral facial paresis.

4. Look for painful vesicles on the posterior auricle of the external ear or within the back of the external ear canal (but vesicles may not always be visible).

5. Management: corticosteroids & acyclovir/famcyclovir/valacyclovir.

Reference(s)

Wilkinson, I., Furmedge, D. and Sinharay, R. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Get it on Amazon.
Feather, A., Randall, D. and Waterhouse, M. (2020). Kumar And Clark’s Clinical Medicine. 10th ed. S.L.: Elsevier Health Sciences. Get it on Amazon.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].