[Case of Frankl-Hochwart syndrome (polyneuritis cranials menieriformis)]

In a 19-year-old man sudden Bell's palsy developed and after 2 days vertigo and peripheral-type nystagmus supervened. ENG demonstrated presence of spontaneous nystagmus on right gaze and lack of excitability of the left horizontal canal. The cerebrospinal fluid was normal, virological examination failed to demonstrate presence of antibodies to zoster virus or a rise of antibodies to enteroviruses. Vertigo and nystagmus disappeared within several days. Bell's palsy regressed later. The results of virological investigations cast doubt on the views of these authors who regard Frankl-Hochwart syndrome as a variety of Ramsay Hung Syndrome. In the presently reported case the possibility of zoster virus being the cause of the disease has been ruled out.