Acute pontine infarction is commonly associated with progressive motor deficits (PMD) and functional disability. In a recent study, Semi et al. identified 190 patients with acute ischaemic stroke in the pons, 49 of whom had PMD. Clinical, laboratory and imaging data revealed involvement of the lower pons as an independent risk factor for worsening of motor symptoms, suggesting infarct topography could be used in prognostication for this type of stroke.