[Clinical pathogenic heterogeneity and subcortical infarcts prognosis]

We present a descriptive study of 55 consecutive patients with subcortical infarct seen during the year 1993. We divided our sample into two groups: the first included a total of 49 patients with lacunar infarct (ischaemic lesion equal to or less than 20 mm in diameter or lacunar syndrome with no objective lesion). The second group consisted of six patients with subcortical infarct greater than 20 mm at its largest diameter. We touch upon vascular risk factors, probable etiology, clinical history and prognosis, trying to determine as to whether differences existed between the two groups or not. The sole case showing statistically significant difference was the clinical presentation syndrome although results are hardly conclusive given the small size of our sample groups.