Sympathetic contralateral vestibulopathy after unilateral zoster oticus. Issue 5 (1st May 1999)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schulz, P; Arbusow, V; Strupp, M; Dieterich, M; Sautier, W; Brandt, T
• Is Part Of: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry. Volume 66:Issue 5(1999)
• Page Start: 672
• Page End: 676
• Publication Date: 1999-05-01
• Subjects: Ramsay-Hunt syndrome -- sympathetic vestibulopathy -- antineuronal antibody; Neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.66.5.672
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3050

Abstract

Abstract : A unique case of initially right sided varicella zoster induced Ramsay-Hunt syndrome with complete vestibular loss is reported. The patient subsequently developed deficits of the left vestibule 5 months later. An autoimmune pathogenesis of the left vestibular failure rather than bilateral varicella zoster infection was suggested by the following data: (1) no evidence of vesicular eruptions on the left auricle and the virtual absence of antiviral antibodies after onset of bilateral vestibulopathy; (2) prompt response of the left vestibule to immunosuppressive therapy with corticosteroids; and (3) presence of atypical nervous tissue specific autoantibodies against a 45 kDa protein.