Question: A 48 year old male develops left facial paralysis over 48 hours involving all divisions of the left facial nerve. He later develops a vesicular eruption and is diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome. One week later he returns to clinic reporting left otorrhea. Exam reveals purulence from an open vesicle in the lateral external auditory canal. What is the next step in management?

a) Extend course of antivirals

b) Switch from oral antivirals to IV therapy

c) Antibacterial ototopical drops

d) MRI of the brain

[Answer will be posted with next week's new question]

Answer to last week's question, “Safety First” (May 24, 2021)

C - Gentian violet.