A Woman With Facial Weakness and Vesicular Lesions

This is the case of an 86-year-old woman presenting with acute unilateral facial weakness, otalgia, hearing loss, and vesicular eruptions involving the ear canal and oral mucosa, consistent with Ramsay Hunt syndrome (herpes zoster oticus). Early diagnosis was supported by vesicle-based polymerase chain reaction and Tzanck smear. The patient was treated promptly with antiviral therapy, corticosteroids, and supportive care, resulting in gradual neurologic recovery.