FACE-DROPS — Posterior Circulation Stroke Symptom Checklist

FACE-DROPS is a clinical mnemonic and bedside assessment checklist for recognizing symptoms and signs of posterior circulation stroke (vertebrobasilar territory ischemia). Unlike anterior circulation strokes (facial droop, arm weakness, speech difficulty), posterior circulation strokes often present with subtle or atypical symptoms (vertigo, diplopia, dysphagia, ataxia) that are frequently misdiagnosed in the ED as benign peripheral BPPV or inner ear disease. FACE-DROPS stands for: Facial palsy, Ataxia, Confusion, Eyes (diplopia or nystagmus), Dysarthria, Reaching deficit, Occipital headache, Plus signs (Horner, hiccups, deafness), Swallowing difficulties.