Zoster oticus

Last Updated: 2023-07-07

Author(s): Anzengruber F., Navarini A.

ICD11: 1E91.41

Ramsay Hunt syndrome, ear zoster, herpes zoster of the ear, Ramsay Hunt syndrome.

Herpes zoster infection on the auricle and surrounding area. Hunt's zone includes the auricle, the tympanic membrane and the external auditory canal. Involvement of the facial nerve and the vestibulocochlear nerve, dizziness, tinnitus and possibly also hearing loss is referred to as Ramsay-Hunt syndrome.

Diagnosis by the ENT doctor!

Facialis paralysis occurs in about 50-60% of cases.

  • About 1/3 of all patients remain deaf in the ear
  • Some sources recommend short-term administration of oral glucocorticoids (prednisolone 50 mg p.o. daily)
    • in addition to antiviral therapy
  • Presentation to ENT specialist

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  14. Werner RN, Nikkels AF, Marinovic B, Schafer M, Czarnecka-Operacz M, Agius AM, Bata-Csorgo Z, Breuer J, Girolomoni G, Gross GE, Langan S, Lapid-Gortzak R, Lesser TH, Pleyer U, Sellner J, Verjans GM, Wutzler P, Dressler C, Erdmann R, Rosumeck S, Nast A: European consensus-based (s2k) guideline on the management of herpes zoster - guided by the european dermatology forum (edf) in cooperation with the european academy of dermatology and venereology (eadv), part 1: Diagnosis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2017;31:9-19.

  15. Werner RN, Nikkels AF, Marinovic B, Schafer M, Czarnecka-Operacz M, Agius AM, Bata-Csorgo Z, Breuer J, Girolomoni G, Gross GE, Langan S, Lapid-Gortzak R, Lesser TH, Pleyer U, Sellner J, Verjans GM, Wutzler P, Dressler C, Erdmann R, Rosumeck S, Nast A: European consensus-based (s2k) guideline on the management of herpes zoster - guided by the european dermatology forum (edf) in cooperation with the european academy of dermatology and venereology (eadv), part 2: Treatment. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2017;31:20-29.

  16. Werner RN, Nikkels AF, Marinovic B, Schafer M, Czarnecka-Operacz M, Agius AM, Bata-Csorgo Z, Breuer J, Girolomoni G, Gross GE, Langan S, Lapid-Gortzak R, Lesser TH, Pleyer U, Sellner J, Verjans GM, Wutzler P, Dressler C, Erdmann R, Rosumeck S, Nast A: European consensus-based (s2k) guideline on the management of herpes zoster - guided by the european dermatology forum (edf) in cooperation with the european academy of dermatology and venereology (eadv), part 1: Diagnosis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2017;31:9-19.

  17. Werner RN, Nikkels AF, Marinovic B, Schafer M, Czarnecka-Operacz M, Agius AM, Bata-Csorgo Z, Breuer J, Girolomoni G, Gross GE, Langan S, Lapid-Gortzak R, Lesser TH, Pleyer U, Sellner J, Verjans GM, Wutzler P, Dressler C, Erdmann R, Rosumeck S, Nast A: European consensus-based (s2k) guideline on the management of herpes zoster - guided by the european dermatology forum (edf) in cooperation with the european academy of dermatology and venereology (eadv), part 2: Treatment. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2017;31:20-29.