Causes of Cerebral Infarction

Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
Updated on September 26, 2024
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The specific causes of cerebral infarction are mostly seen in older patients with several underlying diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Over time, without well-controlled blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipids, arteriosclerosis can easily form within the blood vessels, or atherosclerotic plaques can develop. Once the plaque forms, under certain triggers, the unstable detachment of the vascular plaque can occur. The embolus then moves with the blood flow into the brain and lodges in a narrowed part of the vessel, causing local blood supply areas to experience narrowing or blockage. At this point, a cerebral infarction is likely to form, leading to ischemia, necrosis, and degeneration of the brain tissue supplied by the vessel, resulting in a softening lesion. On a cranial CT scan and MRI, a local low-density shadow can be observed, which is the specific cause of the cerebral infarction.

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Is a brain infarction dangerous?

The risk associated with a cerebral infarction primarily depends on the extent and location of the infarction. If the infarction is small and located in less critical areas of brain function such as the frontal or temporal lobes, the symptoms may not be severe and might only include dizziness and sleepiness. If the infarction is extensive and occurs in crucial areas such as the basal ganglia, thalamus, or brainstem, the symptoms can be very severe. This could potentially lead to hemiplegia, aphasia, and even coma or death.

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How to treat cerebral infarction?

The choice of treatment for cerebral infarction depends on the specific circumstances. Treatment plans for small and large cerebral infarctions are completely different, as are the treatment plans for acute and chronic stages of cerebral infarction. For small areas of acute cerebral infarction, many cases can be treated with intravenous thrombolysis and arterial thrombectomy, which are currently very effective treatments that can significantly help in emergency situations. In the chronic phase, it is necessary to actively improve cerebral circulation, brain protection, lower lipids, stabilize blood sugar, and blood pressure, among other methods, to delay the further progression of the disease. Some cases may also require identifying the cause and opting for surgical interventions, including stent implantation and endarterectomy surgeries.

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Can someone who has had a cerebral infarction eat eggs?

Patients with cerebral infarction can eat eggs. In clinical practice, many people believe that eggs, especially egg yolks, contain very high cholesterol, which can easily lead to hyperlipidemia. However, this does not specifically cause hyperlipidemia. Eating one egg a day generally does not have a severe impact on the human body. After all, the human body is constantly active and consumes nutrients. Eating an egg will not particularly affect the body but will supplement many proteins and other essential substances. Therefore, it is best to eat eggs. However, if there are other symptoms present, such as difficulty swallowing, coughing while eating, or a comatose state, then eggs should not be consumed. It is crucial to make judgments based on the situation.

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Can a cerebral infarction be cured?

Stroke is the most common cerebrovascular disease. It occurs when the arteries supplying blood to the brain become blocked, leading to ischemic necrosis of the brain tissue in that region. This results in a series of neurological deficits. Theoretically, once a stroke has occurred, it cannot be completely cured because brain cells are non-regenerative. Once they die, they cannot be revived, and the function of the neurons in that area is completely lost. However, the significance of acute phase treatment lies in the rescue of the ischemic penumbra. The function of these cells can be restored after treatment, and thereafter, they may compensate for the function of the central necrotic area. Thus, patients who receive treatment may regain some neurological functions. Another condition is that the patient must be brought to the hospital within 4.5 hours of the onset of symptoms. If there are no clear contraindications, RT-PA intravenous thrombolytic treatment can be administered. The success rate of this thrombolysis is relatively high, and about 30% of patients may be fully cured without any sequelae.

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The difference between lacunar infarction and cerebral infarction

Lacunar stroke is a type of cerebral infarction and is considered the mildest form within strokes. Generally, the area affected by a lacunar infarction is very small, so if it is a single incident or there are not many lacunar strokes, it usually does not cause any symptoms. Many middle-aged and elderly people over the age of fifty or sixty who undergo routine CT scans during physical examinations exhibit signs of lacunar stroke on their CT images, yet most of them do not present any clinical symptoms. Therefore, lacunar stroke may only affect brain function and result in symptoms such as speech difficulties, slow reactions, weakened muscle strength in the limbs, or lack of coordination when there are numerous occurrences. Cerebral infarction can include strokes that affect larger areas of the brain, which are much more severe than lacunar strokes. These larger strokes are sufficient to cause clinical symptoms, which may include hemiplegia, drooping of the corner of the mouth and drooling, abnormal limb movements, and even fatal events in cases of extensive cerebral infarction. Thus, lacunar stroke, being a type of cerebral infarction, represents the mildest form of stroke.