[Heterogeneous topography of Foix-Chavany-Marie syndrome]

Bilateral facio-pharyngo-laryngo-glosso-masticatory palsy with automatic-voluntary dissociation is known as Foix-Chavany-Marie (FCM) syndrome. It is usually due to bilateral cortical lesions involving both anterior opercula (biopercular syndrome). We describe three patients with FCM syndrome associated with ischemic lesions in two atypical localizations: a) bilateral subcortical infarcts, and b) unilateral opercular infarct.

Patient 1, a 66 year old male, was admitted for a sudden onset of anarthria and facial, lingual and masticatory paralysis. Neurological examination revealed automatic-voluntary dissociation of facial motility. MRI showed an acute left subcortical infarct and multiple bilateral subcortical ischemic lesions. Patient 2, a 61 year old male, also suffered a sudden onset of anarthria, with bilateral facial and lingual paralysis and automatic-voluntary dissociation together with sudden onset swallowing alteration. MRI showed a single ischemic lesion involving the left operculum. Patient 3, a 36 year old male, presented sudden onset of dysarthria, dysphagia and bilateral facial palsy with automatic-voluntary dissociation and loss of force in left upper limb. MRI showed an acute right opercular infarct and no contralateral lesions.

FCM syndrome is not only due to bilateral opercular lesions but can also be seen in bilateral subcortical and even unilateral opercular lesions.