Is lacunar infarction a serious illness?

Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
Updated on September 07, 2024
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Lacunar stroke is a condition where small blood vessels in the cerebral hemispheres or brainstem undergo pathological changes and eventually become occluded as a result of common risk factors such as prolonged hypertension or diabetes. This leads to the necrosis of brain tissue. Typically, the infarct size is less than 1.5 to 2 centimeters, resulting in clinical syndromes associated with impaired neurological functions governed by the affected area. Often, lacunar strokes may be asymptomatic in some patients, while others may experience mild symptoms. Generally, the prognosis of this disease is good.

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Written by Li Min
Neurology
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Can lacunar infarction be treated?

Lacunar stroke, also known as lacunar infarction, refers to a type of brain infarction where the diameter of the affected area ranges from 2 millimeters to 15 millimeters. It is treatable, typically caused by atherosclerosis of cerebral arteries leading to ischemia and hypoxia in small capillaries, and subsequently, localized tissue necrosis. These usually occur more frequently beneath the cortical layer of brain tissue, as this area has a dense distribution of small blood vessels and is thus more prone to lacunar infarcts. However, if a lacunar infarct occurs in critical areas such as the thalamus, brainstem, basal ganglia, internal capsule, or the limbs and knee regions within the internal capsule, it can lead to a variety of clinical symptoms. The range and types of these clinical symptoms are diverse, including pure sensory, pure motor, mixed sensorimotor numbness in limbs, and issues with peripheral circulation. Though generally, treatment is relatively quick and straightforward, delays in treatment could lead to more severe clinical symptoms.

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Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
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Brain infarction refers to the condition.

A cerebral infarction, commonly abbreviated, is typically referred to in full as thrombotic cerebral infarction or cerebral thrombosis. The most common cause is the formation of a local thrombus or from distant sites, such as the heart or major blood vessels, causing ischemia, hypoxia, and other disturbances in the cerebral blood supply. This results in localized ischemic necrosis or softening of brain tissue, leading to corresponding neurological deficits and signs.

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Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
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Can a cerebral infarction be effectively treated?

Most cases of cerebral infarction can be treated effectively, except for some extensive cerebral infarctions, which may leave varying degrees of sequelae. During the acute phase of treatment for cerebral infarction, medications that promote blood circulation, improve circulation, prevent platelet aggregation, and anti-atherosclerosis drugs are used. If treatment can be administered within three hours of onset, intravenous thrombolysis can be performed, which may lead to a faster recovery if successful. Additionally, medications that eliminate free radicals are used during the acute phase to remove free radicals that damage brain cells. Other treatments involve the use of neurotrophic drugs to support the repair of damaged brain cells. After stabilizing the condition, active rehabilitation exercises are recommended, and most patients can be effectively treated.

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Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
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Can lacunar infarction be treated?

Lacunar stroke is a type of cerebral infarction. It occurs due to long-term hypertension or other causes leading to arteriosclerosis in the small vessels inside the skull or other thrombus formations, leading to stroke. It is treatable, and the treatment is generally the same as for other types of strokes. Early on, depending on the patient’s condition, thrombolytic treatment can be chosen if it is within 4.5 hours from onset. However, if the symptoms are mild, the benefits and risks should be weighed. Treatment may also include antiplatelet therapy to improve circulation, lipid-lowering, and plaque stabilization. It is also necessary to tailor treatment to the individual patient and to further investigate whether there is significant narrowing of the vessels to guide prognosis.

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Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
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What foods should not be eaten in the case of a cerebral infarction?

Stroke refers to the necrosis of brain tissue, causing a series of neurological functional deficit symptoms. The dietary requirements for stroke must be determined comprehensively based on the patient's own condition and underlying diseases. For instance, common risk factors for stroke include hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and elevated homocysteine levels, along with unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking. If the patient has hypertension, a light diet should be emphasized. If they have hyperlipidemia, fatty foods should be avoided in favor of a low-fat diet. In cases of high homocysteine levels, it is advisable to consume foods rich in vitamins. Additionally, if the patient has diabetes, they must adhere to a diabetic and low-sugar diet. Therefore, what food can be consumed depends on the patient's underlying diseases and the symptoms of the stroke. If the patient has swallowing difficulties, care must be taken to avoid hard foods as this could lead to choking and potentially cause a lung infection. Thus, the patient's individual condition must be taken into account when deciding their diet.