Abstract

Herpes zoster (HZ) is caused by the reactivation of varicella zoster virus (VZV) that remains latent in the dorsal root ganglia after varicella infection. During the course of the disease, vesicular eruptions appear on skin of the innerved dermatome. Herpes zoster usually occurs in elderly patients. Thoracic dermatome is the most involved area in HZ. Trigeminal nerve is the most affected cranial nerve and ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve involvement (ophtalmic zona) is twenty times more frequent in comparison with involvement of maxillary and mandibular branches. Ramsay-Hunt syndrome is a cranial polyneuropathy following VZV reactivation. The frequency of Ramsay-Hunt syndrome is defined as %1 in HZ infections. We present this interesting case because maxillary branch involvement with Ramsay-Hunt syndrome is a rare combination.

Key Words: Ramsay Hunt Syndrome; Herpes Zoster; Maxillary Zona Zoster.