Overview
Ramsay Hunt syndrome type II is a term that was historically used to describe a neurological condition involving a combination of movement problems, including a type of tremor and difficulty with coordination (called cerebellar ataxia), along with progressive muscle stiffness and involuntary movements. It was named after the neurologist James Ramsay Hunt, who described several different syndromes during his career. Importantly, this specific classification — 'Ramsay Hunt syndrome type II' — is now considered obsolete in modern medical terminology. The condition it once described overlaps significantly with other better-defined disorders, such as progressive myoclonic ataxia or dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA), and experts have moved away from using this label in favor of more precise diagnoses. Because this is an outdated diagnostic category, patients who were previously given this label are now typically re-evaluated using modern genetic testing and neurological assessment to identify the specific underlying condition. Symptoms that were grouped under this old term — such as muscle jerks (myoclonus), balance problems, and coordination difficulties — are now better explained by specific genetic diagnoses. If you or a loved one has been given this diagnosis, speaking with a neurologist or clinical geneticist about updated testing is strongly recommended.
Key symptoms:
Involuntary muscle jerks (myoclonus)Problems with balance and coordination (ataxia)Tremor (shaking of the hands or body)Stiffness or rigidity of musclesDifficulty walking steadilySlurred or slow speechProgressive worsening of movement over time
Variable
Can be inherited in different ways depending on the underlying gene
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for OBSOLETE: Ramsay Hunt syndrome type II.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for OBSOLETE: Ramsay Hunt syndrome type II.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to OBSOLETE: Ramsay Hunt syndrome type II.
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
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Mental Health Support
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Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
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Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Is 'Ramsay Hunt syndrome type II' still a valid diagnosis, and should I be re-evaluated with modern genetic testing?,What specific condition might explain my symptoms, and what genes should be tested?,Are there any clinical trials or new treatments available for my underlying condition?,What therapies — physical, occupational, or speech — would help me most right now?,How quickly might my symptoms progress, and what signs should prompt me to seek urgent care?,Are other family members at risk, and should they be tested?,What support resources or patient organizations exist for conditions like mine?
Common questions about OBSOLETE: Ramsay Hunt syndrome type II
What is OBSOLETE: Ramsay Hunt syndrome type II?
Ramsay Hunt syndrome type II is a term that was historically used to describe a neurological condition involving a combination of movement problems, including a type of tremor and difficulty with coordination (called cerebellar ataxia), along with progressive muscle stiffness and involuntary movements. It was named after the neurologist James Ramsay Hunt, who described several different syndromes during his career. Importantly, this specific classification — 'Ramsay Hunt syndrome type II' — is now considered obsolete in modern medical terminology. The condition it once described overlaps signi