Geniculate herpes zoster, also known as geniculate neuralgia or Ramsay Hunt syndrome type II, is a medical condition characterized by an infection of the geniculate ganglion, a nerve cell cluster located in the facial nerve pathway. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus responsible for chickenpox and shingles.
When a person contracts or has a history of chickenpox, the VZV can become dormant in nerve tissues. If the virus reactivates years later, it can travel along the facial nerve and infect the geniculate ganglion. The infection leads to inflammation and damage of the nerve, resulting in symptoms that affect the face and ear on the same side as the infection.
One of the characteristic symptoms of geniculate herpes zoster is severe facial pain, often described as sharp or stabbing. Other common symptoms include a rash around the ear and on the external part of the ear canal, hearing loss, dizziness, and facial weakness or paralysis. In some cases, taste disturbances, vertigo, and ringing in the ear (tinnitus) may also be present.
Treatment for geniculate herpes zoster typically involves antiviral medications to reduce the viral replication and pain medications to manage the symptoms. If facial paralysis occurs, corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and promote nerve recovery. Prompt treatment is crucial to prevent complications and improve the chances of full recovery.
Overall, geniculate herpes zoster is a condition characterized by an infection of the geniculate ganglion, resulting in severe facial pain, rash, and other associated symptoms.
