Fast recovery from Peripheral Facial Palsy in a patient with Ramsay-Hunt Syndrome using Photobiomodulation Therapy

• Main Author: Ballardin,Bárbara Soldatelli
• Publication Date: 2023
• Other Authors: Pivovar,Allana, Abreu,Gabrieli Rodrigues de Almeida, Simões,Alyne, Araujo,Melissa Rodrigues de
• Format: Report
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositórios Científicos de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (RCAAP)
• Download full: http://scielo.pt/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1646-28902023000300118
• topic: Facial Paralysis; Herpes Zoster Auricularis; Laser Therapy; Photobiomodulation; Ramsay Hunt Syndrome

Abstract Ramsay-Hunt syndrome is an infectious disease associated with the varicella-zoster virus, and peripheral facial palsy is often one of its clinical manifestations. This case report describes a patient diagnosed with Ramsay-Hunt syndrome who developed peripheral facial palsy and was treated by photobiomodulation therapy. A 26-year-old woman developed a lack of facial mobility on the right side, asymmetry, otalgia, dysgeusia, and dry eyes, leading to the diagnosis of Ramsay-Hunt syndrome. Her peripheral facial palsy was classified as moderately severe according to the House-Brackmann scale. Acyclovir, prednisone, and physiotherapy sessions were prescribed to manage peripheral facial palsy. In the absence of a clinical response to the proposed therapies, photobiomodulation therapy was employed using the parameters: 780 nm, 100 mW, 3 J/point, and 30.48 J/cm2. After five sessions of photobiomodulation therapy, complete recovery of facial movement was observed. Photobiomodulation therapy treated peripheral facial palsy effectively, allowing a fast recovery and avoiding irreversible sequelae in a patient with Ramsay-Hunt syndrome.