Ramsay Hunt syndrome type 1

src: i.ytimg.com

Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS) type 1 is a rare, degenerative, neurological disorder characterized by myoclonus epilepsy, intention tremor, progressive ataxia and occasionally cognitive impairment

It has also been alternatively called dyssynergia cerebellaris myoclonica, dyssynergia cerebellaris progressiva, dentatorubral degeneration, or Ramsay Hunt cerebellar syndrome.

Video Ramsay Hunt syndrome type 1

Presentation

Onset of symptoms usually occur in early adulthood and is characterized by intention tremor, progressive ataxia, convulsions, and myoclonic epileptic jerks. Tremors usually affect one extremity, primarily the upper limb, and eventually involve the entire voluntary motor system. Overall, the lower extremity is usually disturbed less often than the upper extremity. Additional features of the syndrome include: an unsteady gait, seizures, muscular hypotonia, reduced muscular coordination, asthenia, adiadochokinesia and errors with estimating range, direction, and force of voluntary movements. Mental deterioration can occur, however it is rare.

Maps Ramsay Hunt syndrome type 1

Causes

RHS type 1 is caused by the impairment of a regulatory mechanism between cerebellar and brainstem nuclei and has been associated with a wide range of diseases, including Lafora disease, dentatorubropallidoluysian atrophy, and celiac disease.