David Portnoy, MD, and Elizabeth Rosas
Elizabeth Rosas arrived at The Mount Sinai Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) with what she thought was an ear infection. But her discomfort did not end there. Her symptoms also included a painful rash, partial facial paralysis, and a loss of balance.
Due to a quick and accurate diagnosis by Mount Sinai hospitalist David Portnoy, MD, and the ED team that treated her, Elizabeth was admitted to the hospital and administered the correct medication in time to reverse the symptoms of what turned out to be early-stage Ramsay Hunt syndrome.
The rare neurological disorder, which can be accompanied by ringing in the ears or hearing loss, occurs when a shingles outbreak affects the facial nerve near one of the patient’s ears.
Looking back on her experience, Elizabeth says the care she received during her six-day stay at Mount Sinai was “exceptional,” and she is grateful to the ED nurses who treated her and to Dr. Portnoy, in particular. Elizabeth says her health is largely back to normal, though she is still working on improving her balance.
When Elizabeth was released from the hospital, Dr. Portnoy provided her with his telephone number and told her to call at any time if she had any concerns.