Facial nerve: Ramsay Hunt syndrome: practice question

A ENT 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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ENT · Facial nerve: Ramsay Hunt syndrome

Sample item

A man has severe ear pain, vesicles in the concha and external canal, facial palsy and sensorineural hearing loss. Which structure is primarily involved by the virus?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Geniculate ganglion

Ramsay Hunt syndrome type 2 is reactivation of varicella zoster virus in the geniculate ganglion. Treatment is oral acyclovir (or valacyclovir) with prednisolone. Prognosis is worse than in Bell's palsy.

Option by option

  • A. Spiral ganglion

    The spiral ganglion is in the cochlea and is not the primary site.

  • B. Gasserian ganglion

    The Gasserian ganglion is the trigeminal ganglion.

  • C. Stellate ganglion

    The stellate ganglion is a sympathetic ganglion.

  • D. Geniculate ganglion (correct)

    Correct. VZV reactivates in the geniculate ganglion.

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 ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is D, Geniculate ganglion. Ramsay Hunt syndrome type 2 is reactivation of varicella zoster virus in the geniculate ganglion.

Why is "Spiral ganglion" not the answer?

The spiral ganglion is in the cochlea and is not the primary site.

Why is "Gasserian ganglion" not the answer?

The Gasserian ganglion is the trigeminal ganglion.

Why is "Stellate ganglion" not the answer?

The stellate ganglion is a sympathetic ganglion.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Facial nerve: Ramsay Hunt syndrome in ENT. Treatment is oral acyclovir (or valacyclovir) with prednisolone. Prognosis is worse than in Bell's palsy.

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 Facial nerve: Ramsay Hunt syndrome?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT 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.