[Acupuncture as main therapy for Ramsay-Hunt syndrome complicated with incomplete Vernet syndrome caused by otic herpes zoster: a case report].

This paper reports a case of Ramsay-Hunt syndrome complicated with incomplete Vernet syndrome caused by otic herpes zoster treated with acupuncture as the main therapy. The pathogenesis of the patient was spleen deficiency with dampness-heat, and blockage of the orifices and collaterals. The combination therapy of flash cupping, fire needling, acupuncture and Chinese materia medica was delivered. Flash cupping was performed on the affected side of the face, fire needling pricking was applied at the herpes zoster area; acupuncture was applied at local acupoints on the face, combined with the "experienced ten acupoints" and the acupuncture method of "ascending on the left and descending on the right" based on the theory of yiqi zhouliu (constant circulatory flowing of qi ), i.e. for the left side, acupoints of the three-yin meridians were selected and treated with twirling reinforcing manipulation, for the right side, acupoints of the three-yang meridians were selected and treated with the twirling reducing manipulation. The treatment was given once every 3 days, twice a week. After 1 month of treatment, the modified Yuebi Jiazhu decoction was given additionally for 14 doses. After 2 weeks of treatment, the herpes zoster resolved and the pain was relieved; after 1 month of treatment, the swallowing function was improved; after 2 months of treatment, the House-Brackmann (H-B) facial nerve function grade was decreased from grade Ⅵ to grade Ⅲ, the Sunnybrook facial grading system score was increased from 21 to 67, and the swallowing, hoarseness, auditory and gustatory functions, as well as the general condition were all improved; at 1 month follow-up, the condition of the patient remained stable.