Cerebral infarction of the basal ganglia due to embolism from the heart.
We studied 8 patients with cerebral infarction in the deep territory of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). All patients had a definite cardiac source of emboli and no known factors for thrombosis. Mixed sensory and motor deficit was found in all but one patient and CT scan showed larger lesions than usually reported in lacunar infarcts. Contrast enhancement was seen in all cases in which CT scan was performed in the second or third week. It is concluded that embolic infarcts in deep cerebral territory of MCA from a cardiac source are more frequent than previously reported. This diagnosis has to be considered when CT scan demonstrates a deep cerebral infarct.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications; D001480:Basal Ganglia Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004617:Embolism / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008946:Mitral Valve Stenosis / Q000150:complications; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000150:complications; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed