A typical case of herpes zoster auris is described. Sections of the teniporal bone of tlie clinically affected side show extensive lynipliocytic or round cell infiltration of the facial nerve throughout its length and of the auditory nerve. There is considerable perivascular "cuffing" by lymphocytes in tlie modiolus, in the perineural tissue of the facial nerve, the cliorda tympani and the skin of the external auditory meatus.The vestibular, spiral and geniculate ganglia contain numerous normallooking neurones, although there is scattered lymphocytic infiltration of the surrounding nerve tissue. There are no necrotic changes in the ganglia. This case is in complete accordance with the main histopathological findings in four cases previously described : there is profuse and widespread lymphocytic infiltration in the facial nerve. This is in striking contrast to tlie microscopical findings in Bell's palsy.Tlie syndrome bearing Rainsay Hunt's name is based on a niore extensive lesion of the facial nerve and other nerves and parts of tlie central nervous system than is implied by the somewhat misleading term "gcniculate ganglionitis". It is essential that patients suffering from herpes zoster auris-for which the term "cephalic zoster' 'is considered to be a niore appropriate one-should be fully examined including lumbar puncture, and that in fatal cases, the brain and spinal cord should be obtained, if possible, for histopathological analysis.Herpes zoster (herpes froin herpein to creep, zoster a sword belt), zone or shingles never presents a difficult diagnosis. Its aetiology and to some extent pathology, particularly of cephalic zoster have been considered obscure.The paucity of histophathological reports prompts us to describe the findings in the temporal bones of a woman who died of carbon monoxide poisoning following intractable tinnitus caused by a severe attack of herpes zoster auris with facial palsy. I1 might be useful first to survey our knowledge of the aetiology of herpes Acta Otolaryng. (Stockh.) 63 Acta Otolaryngol Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by Nyu Medical Center on 08/05/15 For personal use only. England Acta Otolaryngol Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by Nyu Medical Center on 08/05/15 For personal use only.

No abstract