Ramsay Hunt Syndrome and Concomitant Encephalitis: Diagnostic Challenge Mimicking Acute Stroke

Ramsay Hunt Syndrome (RHS) is a rare complication of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation. Among the more serious extra-cutaneous complications of VZV is encephalitis, carrying a less favorable prognosis. The occurrence of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome (RHS) with concomitant encephalitis is obscure. This case report demonstrates the diagnostic challenge of a patient condition resembling an acute cerebrovascular accident (CVA). In the setting of equivocal imaging modalities, obtaining a lumbar puncture can aid in the differentiation of these pathologies to yield an accurate diagnosis.