B02.21

Approximate Synonyms

• Herpes zoster auricularis

• Ramsey hunt syndrome

Clinical Information

• A syndrome characterized by facial palsy in association with a herpetic eruption of the external auditory meatus. This may occasionally be associated with tinnitus, vertigo, deafness, severe otalgia, and inflammation of the pinna. The condition is caused by reactivation of a latent herpesvirus 3, human infection which causes inflammation of the facial and vestibular nerves, and may occasionally involve additional cranial nerves. from Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p757)

• A viral ear infection caused by the spread of varicella-zoster virus to the facial nerves. It is characterized by intense otalgia and a cutaneous vesicular eruption.

Details

• B02.21 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.

• The 2023 edition of ICD-10-CM B02.21 became effective on October 1, 2022.

• This is the American ICD-10-CM version of B02.21 – other international versions of ICD-10 B02.21 may differ.