In Ramsay Hunt syndrome, most commonly involved nerve is ?

Ramsay Hunt syndrome Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS) is a complication of shingles. It is the name given to describe the symptoms of a shingles infection affecting the facial nerve. It is lower motor neuron type of facial palsy due to Varicella (herpes) zoster. Pain is often a prominent feature and vesicles are seen in the ipsilateral ear, on the hard palate and/or on anterior two third of tongue. It may involve other cranial nerves-V, VIII, IX and X and cervical branches (C2, C3 & C4) that have anastomotic communications with facial nerve. This results in features like : Anaesthesia of face Giddiness Hearing impairment along with VII nerve palsy. The mechanism of disease is reactivation of the latent varicella zoster virus in the geniculate ganglion. The onset of palsy is preceeded by pain which may persist & become excruciating. When the rash is absent it is known as zoster sine herpete. The prognosis of Ramsay Hunt syndrome is worse than Bell's palsy. Persistent weakness is observed in 30-50% of patients and only 10% recover completely after complete loss of function without treatment. Treatment recommended is prednisone (steroid) combined with acyclvir.