Unilateral Facial Paralysis During an Airline Flight

Unilateral Facial Paralysis During an Airline Flight:



Background: A medical emergency during a commercial airline flight may require an unplanned landing, which disrupts travel plans and is expensive.

Objective: To alert clinicians to a condition that can mimic acute stroke but does not require an unplanned aircraft landing.

Case Report: Shortly after reaching cruising altitude on a recent airline flight, I responded to a flight attendant's request for “a doctor on board.” She reported that a passenger was probably having a stroke. When I met the passenger, I found him to be young and fit looking, with a complete right-sided facial droop. In addition to the facial...