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Published on: March 7, 2019
Lacunes and other holes: diagnosis, pathogenesis, therapy
G B Bradač1, D Daniele, M Bergui
1Neuroscience-Neuroradiology Department, University of Turin; Turin, Italy - gianniboris.bradac@unito.it.
Insights
Lacunar ischemic lesions involve small perforating arteries, but large intracranial artery changes are increasingly recognized. Early diagnosis and neuroimaging are crucial for appropriate lacunar stroke treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Neurology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Lacunar ischemic lesions are associated with perforator artery pathology.
- Causes include embolism, hypoperfusion, and proximal large artery occlusion.
- Large intracranial artery disease is an emerging cause of lacunar strokes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the role of large intracranial artery disease in lacunar stroke.
- To emphasize the importance of comprehensive clinical and neuroradiological evaluation.
- To discuss potential endovascular treatment options for selected cases.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical and neuroradiological findings in patients with lacunar syndrome.
- Analysis of etiological factors, including large artery disease.
- Consideration of differential diagnoses for lesions on CT/MR imaging.
Main Results:
- Large intracranial artery disease is a significant factor in some lacunar strokes.
- Advanced neuroimaging aids in identifying the cause and guiding therapy.
- Distinguishing true ischemic lesions from other pathologies on imaging is critical.
Conclusions:
- An integrated approach is necessary for diagnosing and managing lacunar stroke.
- Endovascular therapies may be applicable for certain patients with large artery involvement.
- Accurate differential diagnosis is essential to avoid misinterpreting imaging findings.
Abstract:
Lacunar ischemic lesions are related to a pathology involving perforators, due to direct changes in the arteries or to an indirect mechanism, such as cardiac or artery to artery embolism, or to hypoperfusion in cases of cardiac failure, or proximal occlusion of large arteries. Changes involving the large intracranial arteries have progressively been taken into consideration as a cause of the disease. This latter aspect is interesting since possible endovascular treatment can be proposed in selected cases. In patients with lacunar syndrome an extended clinical and neuroradiological approach is indicated to choose the most appropriate therapy. Not all lesions recognizable on CT/MR are the expressions of ischemic lesions, this is another important aspect that should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
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