Medial Pontomedullary Stroke Mimicking Severe Bell's Palsy: A Case Report

Patients with acute unilateral upper and lower facial palsy frequently present to the emergency department fearing they have had a stroke, but many cases are benign Bell's palsy.

We present a rare case of a medial pontomedullary junction stroke causing upper and lower hemifacial paralysis associated with severe dysphagia and contralateral face and arm numbness.

Although rare, pontine infarct must be considered in patients who present with both upper and lower facial weakness. Unusual neurologic symptoms (namely diplopia, vertigo, or dysphagia) and signs (namely gaze palsy, nystagmus, or contralateral motor or sensory deficits) should prompt evaluation for stroke.