Viral infections: Ramsay Hunt syndrome: practice question

A Dermatology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dermatology · Viral infections: Ramsay Hunt syndrome

Sample item

A 55-year-old has severe ear pain with vesicles in the external auditory canal, ipsilateral facial weakness and hearing loss. What is the underlying cause?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Varicella zoster reactivation in the geniculate ganglion

Ramsay Hunt syndrome type 2 results from VZV reactivation in the geniculate ganglion of the facial nerve. Early oral acyclovir with corticosteroids improves facial recovery.

Option by option

  • A. HSV-2 infection of the trigeminal ganglion

    HSV-2 is mainly genital and does not usually involve the geniculate ganglion.

  • B. Acoustic neuroma

    Acoustic neuroma causes progressive hearing loss without vesicles.

  • C. Cholesteatoma

    Cholesteatoma causes ear discharge, not vesicles.

  • D. Varicella zoster reactivation in the geniculate ganglion (correct)

    Correct. VZV in the geniculate ganglion produces ear vesicles and facial palsy.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is D, Varicella zoster reactivation in the geniculate ganglion. Ramsay Hunt syndrome type 2 results from VZV reactivation in the geniculate ganglion of the facial nerve.

Why is "HSV-2 infection of the trigeminal ganglion" not the answer?

HSV-2 is mainly genital and does not usually involve the geniculate ganglion.

Why is "Acoustic neuroma" not the answer?

Acoustic neuroma causes progressive hearing loss without vesicles.

Why is "Cholesteatoma" not the answer?

Cholesteatoma causes ear discharge, not vesicles.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Viral infections: Ramsay Hunt syndrome in Dermatology. Early oral acyclovir with corticosteroids improves facial recovery.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Viral infections: Ramsay Hunt syndrome?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.