acyclovir and Hearing-Loss

Herpes zoster oticus generally has a poor prognosis, leaving many patients with permanent facial nerve dysfunction. This preliminary report describes results in seven patients treated for zoster; all were given intravenous acyclovir. Patients were infused with 10 mg/kg every 8 hours over a 7-day hospitalization period. Five of the seven patients showed some return of facial function at the time of discharge. At follow-up, 4 patients had achieved a House grade I result, 1 patient a grade II, and 2 patients a grade III. Reasons for the differences in final results are discussed, along with a recommended regimen for treatment.

Topics: Acyclovir; Administration, Oral; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cranial Nerve Diseases; Facial Paralysis; Female; Hearing Loss; Herpes Zoster; Humans; Injections, Intravenous; Male; Middle Aged