A pontine stroke causes a blood flow blockage to a part of your brainstem. It’s life-threatening and can cause irreversible brain damage. It’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the symptoms of a pontine stroke and to go to the hospital as soon as possible if you develop symptoms. Early treatment is essential.
A pontine stroke (infarction) happens when there’s a blood flow blockage to a part of your brainstem called the pons. It’s a type of ischemic stroke. The blockage may be sudden (acute) or develop over time (chronic).
The pons is the largest portion of your brainstem. It has several important functions.
Other names for a pontine stroke include:
A pontine stroke is a medical emergency, and early treatment is crucial.
Strokes are very common. But compared to other types of strokes, pontine strokes are less common.
Pontine strokes represent about 7% of all ischemic strokes. About 691,000 people in the U.S. experience an ischemic stroke each year. That means about 48,000 people in the U.S. have a pontine stroke each year.
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There are several possible symptoms — and groups of symptoms — that can develop from a pontine stroke. It’s important to note that pontine stroke symptoms are slightly different from typical stroke symptoms.
Symptoms of a pontine stroke may include:
Eye and vision symptoms may include:
Get medical help immediately if you or a loved one develops any of these symptoms. Pontine strokes are life-threatening and can cause irreversible damage.
You can have a blood flow blockage in different parts of your pons, resulting in different types of pontine strokes. The different types tend to cause different symptoms, though many symptoms overlap. Healthcare providers use anatomical terms to describe the different types.
For example:
A pontine stroke happens when there’s a blockage in the blood flow to your pons. Two common causes of a blockage include:
The main risk factors for pontine stroke are the same as those for ischemic stroke: high blood pressure and diabetes. These conditions can damage your blood vessels, including those in your pons.
Other risk factors include:
If you have any of these risk factors, it’s important to see your healthcare provider regularly to make sure your treatment plan is working well.
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You should go to an emergency room (ER) as soon as possible if you develop stroke symptoms. There, a healthcare provider will do several tests and assessments to help diagnose a pontine stroke and check your health. These may include:
The provider may order additional tests, like blood tests and an EKG, to check other aspects of your health.
The highest treatment priority for a pontine stroke is restoring circulation (blood flow) to your pons. That’s because restoring circulation quickly can prevent permanent damage or at least limit a stroke’s severity. Once again, it’s essential to get to a hospital as soon as possible if you’re having stroke symptoms so you can get treatment quickly.
Restoring circulation usually involves a type of medication called thrombolytics. It may also involve a procedure called a mechanical thrombectomy to remove the blood clot if you have a large artery blockage.
Other goals of treatment include:
Stroke rehabilitation is a major part of recovery for most people who have a stroke. It can take many forms depending on your symptoms, including:
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Pontine strokes aren’t always preventable. But you can work with your healthcare provider to help manage any stroke risk factors you may have. Management strategies may include:
The prognosis (outlook) for people with a pontine stroke depends on several factors, like:
For example, unilateral (affecting one side) pontine strokes typically have better outcomes than bilateral (affecting both sides) and caudal (affecting the back of your pons) pontine strokes.
Your healthcare team will give you a better idea of what recovery will look like after a pontine stroke. Lean on your loved ones to help with raising any questions or concerns.
A pontine stroke can cause several long-term or permanent complications. This is because your brainstem, which includes your pons, is a vital brain structure with many important functions. Your risk of experiencing complications depends on many factors, like the type of pontine stroke and its severity.
Complications can include:
If you (or a loved one) had a pontine stroke, it may help to ask your healthcare provider the following questions:
A pontine stroke can upend your life in an instant. Because of this, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with its symptoms and go to the hospital as soon as possible if you or a loved one develop them. Life after a stroke can be really challenging and disorienting. Be sure to lean on your healthcare team and loved ones for support throughout your recovery.
Last reviewed on 08/12/2024.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy