The classic lacunar syndromes: clinical and neuroimaging correlates.
BACKGROUND
Although lacunar syndromes (LSs) are aimed to be linked to lacunar infarcts, the relation between both is still not very well defined.


OBJECTIVE
The present retrospective study tries to define more specifically the clinical and the neuroimaging characteristics of the five most classic LSs.


METHODS
Out of a series of 1617 consecutive stroke patients, admitted to the Ghent University Hospital, 293 presented a classic LS. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) was performed within 5 days after stroke onset in 227 patients. An acute territorial infarct was demonstrated in 54 patients. The study population finally consisted of 173 patients with a classic LS in whom the responsible lacune was demonstrated or in the absence of another type of infarct.


RESULTS
The responsible lacune was demonstrated with DWI in 104 patients. Pure motor stroke (MS) correlated significantly with the presence of the responsible lacune in the internal capsule (P = 0.000147) and with the stroke severity (P = 0.00724). No significant correlation was observed between the location of the lacunes and the other LS's.


CONCLUSIONS
Pure MS has to be considered as the most specific lacunar syndrome.
De Reuck
J
J
Stroke Unit, Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. dereuck.j@gmail.com
De Groote
L
L
Van Maele
G
G
D020520:Brain Infarction / Q000145:classification* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors