Lacunar Syndromes--Where is the Lesion?

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to evaluate different imaging localizations of the classical Lacunar syndromes, including multiplicity of lacunes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was conducted in a tertiary care municipal hospital over 2 years. Patients with clinical Lacunar syndromes, confirmed on imaging, were evaluated for etiopathogenetic factors, lesion localization, and presence of multiple simItaneous lacunes. Angiographic data and cognitive evaluation was done in a subset of the cohort.

RESULTS: 82 patients were studied, 12 undergoing DSA and 46 being evaluated cognitively. Commonest risk factors were Hypertension (97%) and tobacco usage (62%). Pure motor stroke (PMS-70.7%) was the commonest lacunar syndrome, Internal capsular lesions accounting for 53.4% of this syndrome. Among PMS, localisation to Carotid territory was seen in 84.4%, to vertebrobasilar territory in 10.3% and to both in 5.1% of patients. Sensorimotor lacunar syndrome was seen in 14.6% patients, half of them having a thalamic lesion. Overall, 17% patients had multiple simultaneous lacunes, over half of these being cortical, and multiplicity being seen in PMS most commonly. Of 46 patients tested for cognition, 69.5% showed significantly low scores on ACER, with a significant association with multiplicity of lacunes in this group.

CONCLUSIONS: In our study, Pure motor stroke was the commonest lacunar syndrome, 84% of PMS being due to Anterior circulation stroke. Multiple lacunes of similar age were seen in 17% patients, the predominantly cortical localization of these raising a possibility of embolism. Postlacunar stroke executive dysfunction was seen in over two-thirds of our patients.