Introduccion : el sindrome de Ramsay Hunt es un trastorno poco comun causado por la activacion del virus varicela zoster. Se manifiesta clinicamente por ampollas en el canal auditivo externo, dolor de oido, asi como signos y sintomas de paralisis facial. Es un cuadro que suele ser mas severo y con mayor potencialidad de complicaciones que la paralisis de Bell. Caso clinico : paciente femenina de 53 anos de edad, con antecedentes de hipertension arterial y diabetes mellitus tipo 2, quien consulto por presentar lesiones dolorosas en el pabellon auricular derecho y desviacion de la comisura labial a la izquierda. Al examen fisico se observaron lesiones sugestivas de infeccion por el virus de la varicela zoster. Se realizo manejo con corticoides y antivirales, con rapida y completa mejoria. Conclusion : la paralisis facial del sindrome de Ramsay Hunt, es usualmente severa. Se considera que el tratamiento temprano con corticosteroides mas antivirales o con solo corticosteroides, evita el dano irreversible del nervio facial y posibles complicaciones. Rev.cienc.biomed. 2014;5(1):139-143 PALABRAS CLAVE Paralisis facial; Herpes zoster otico; Herpes zoster. SUMMARY Introduction: Ramsay Hunt syndrome is an uncommon disorder caused by the activation of the varicella-zoster virus. It is clinically manifested by blisters in the ear canal, earache and signs and symptoms of facial paralysis. It is a disorder that use to be more severe and with greater potentiality of complications than the Bell paralysis. Clinical case: 53-year-old-female patient, with medical history of arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus type 2, who consulted due to present painful lesions in the right ear auricle and deviation of the labial commissure to the left. At the physical examination, suggestive lesions of infection by the varicella-zoster virus were observed. Management with corticosteroids and antiviral drugs was carried out, with a fast and complete improvement. Conclusion: the facial paralysis of the Ramsay Hunt syndrome is usually severe. It is considered that its early treatment with corticosteroids and antiviral drugs or only with corticosteroids avoids the irreversible damage of the facial nerve and possible complications. Rev.cienc.biomed. 2014;5(1):139-143 KEY WORD Facial paralysis; Herpes zoster oticus; Herpes zoster.