[The role of zoster oticus as a paraneoplastic syndrome (author's transl)].

The relation between malignant neoplasms and zoster oticus as a paraneoplastic syndrome is discussed based on a bibliographic review and catamnestic evaluations of own patients. 19 patients who had suffered from zoster oticus were included in a follow-up study covering a period up to 13 years after the affection. The symptoms of zoster oticus as described in the literature are reviewed and compared with the findings in our patients. Although there were no indications of neoplasms in our patients a general check-up is recommended in all cases of zoster oticus in accordance with the rules established in internal medicine and dermatology.