Pontine hemorrhage presenting as an isolated facial nerve palsy.
We report a case of an isolated facial nerve palsy in a young, otherwise healthy man who was found to have a pontine hemorrhage on computed tomography. Pontine hemorrhage is a rare cause of facial nerve palsy and has been reported in the literature as an isolated neurologic finding in only 1 other instance. This case reminds the emergency physician to remain vigilant for alternative causes of facial nerve palsy other than "idiopathic" Bell's palsy.
Sherman
Scott C
SC
Department of Emergency Medicine, Cook County Hospital, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. ssherman@ccbh.org
Thompson
Trevonne M
TM
Thompson
Trevonne T
TT
D000328:Adult; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006392:Hemangioma, Cavernous / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D020300:Intracranial Hemorrhages / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D011149:Pons; D016896:Treatment Outcome