Combined Facial and Abducens Nerve Palsy in Pontine Infarction

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 16(5); 1998 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 1998;16(5): 752-754.

안면신경과 외전신경의 마비로 발현한 뇌교부 경색

김기선, 양대웅, 이창민, 이지영, 이건호, 김재일

단국대학교 신경과학교실

Combined Facial and Abducens Nerve Palsy in Pontine Infarction

Ki-Seon Kim, M.D., Dae-Woong Yang M.D., Chang-Min Lee, M.D., Jiyeong Yi, M.D., Geun-Ho Lee, M.D., Jae-Il Kim, M.D.

Department of Neurology, Dankook University Hospital

Abstract

Isolated cranial neuropathies involving the facial nerve are very rare manifestations of pontine infarction, and have not been described in paramedian pontine infarction. We report a 67-year-old woman who developed sudden and long-lasting right facial nerve paralysis accompanied by transient ipsilateral abducens nerve palsy. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed two discrete simultaneous infarctions in the right inferior paramedian pontine area, which seemed to correspond to the facial nerve fascicle and the abducens nerve fascicle, respectively. Paramedian pontine infarction can be one of the causes of facial nerve palsy and present as an isolated or predominant sign. Key Words : Isolated cranial neuropathy, Facial nerve palsy, Abducens nerve palsy, Paramedian pontine infarction