Typical or Atypical Ramsay-Hunt Syndrome in Delayed Facial Palsy After Stapedectomy?

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to define the typical pattern for varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation in delayed facial palsy (DFP) after stapedectomy for otosclerosis.

Materials and methods: Review of the relevant literature, personal casistics, and case-report.

Results: In total, 48 cases of DFP after stapes surgery have been described so far, including the reported case with exclusive manifestation of atypical Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RH); in the personal series of 1253 stapedectomies, DFP occurred in only one case (0.08%). Complete DFP (House-Brackmann grade VI) rapidly developed 12 days after surgery; RH appeared 2 days later, confirming the role of VZV. The DFP started improving after 8 weeks and completely recovered 6 months later.

Conclusion: Acute otalgia prior to DFP should raise the suspicion of VZV reactivation. Atypical RH is the most frequent pattern that occurs in DFP after stapedectomy.