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Carotid stenosis in lacunar stroke
1Department of Neurology, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27103.
Stroke
|September 1, 1991
Summary
Extracranial carotid stenosis is uncommon in lacunar stroke patients. This study found low prevalence of significant carotid artery narrowing in those with lacunar stroke, unlike nonlacunar stroke cases.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Neurology
- Neurosonology
Background:
- Lacunar stroke is a common type of ischemic stroke.
- The role of extracranial carotid stenosis in lacunar stroke is not well-established.
- Noninvasive methods for assessing carotid stenosis are crucial for stroke work-up.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of extracranial carotid stenosis in patients with lacunar stroke.
- To compare carotid stenosis rates between lacunar and nonlacunar stroke groups.
- To inform clinical decisions regarding cerebrovascular evaluation in lacunar stroke.
Main Methods:
- Carotid duplex sonography was performed on 168 ischemic stroke patients.
- Strokes were classified as lacunar or nonlacunar hemispheric infarction.
- Patients with specific exclusion criteria were removed from the analysis.
Main Results:
- 13% of lacunar stroke patients had ipsilateral carotid stenosis (≥50% diameter reduction).
- 41% of nonlacunar stroke patients had ipsilateral carotid stenosis (p < 0.01).
- No significant differences in demographics or risk factors were noted between groups, except for tobacco use.
Conclusions:
- Important extracranial carotid stenosis is infrequent in patients with lacunar stroke.
- The findings suggest a lower likelihood of carotid stenosis as a cause of lacunar stroke.
- These results may influence the diagnostic approach for patients presenting with lacunar stroke.