How is lacunar infarction treated?

Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
Updated on March 23, 2025
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Lacunar stroke is a type of cerebral stroke characterized by lesions smaller than 1.5 cm in diameter. Often, these can be discovered incidentally on a CT or MRI scan in asymptomatic patients. In such cases, it's important to evaluate whether the patient has risk factors such as hypertension or diabetes, and consider the patient's age, smoking, and drinking habits. Further assessments with cranial MRI angiography or other vascular imaging are recommended to clarify the state of the blood vessels and guide treatment. Additionally, some patients may experience an acute onset with symptoms like slurred speech or limb weakness. Although these symptoms might be mild, it is crucial to seek prompt medical attention to assess the blood vessels and guide further treatment based on the physician's physical examination of the patient.

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Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
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Lacunar Infarct Nursing Issues

Lacunar stroke is caused by the blockage of small blood vessels in our skull due to long-term risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia, leading to a stroke. Generally, the area of infarction is relatively small, typically less than 1.5 to 2 centimeters. Symptoms may or may not be present. In either case, the symptoms are usually mild and the prognosis is generally good. There are no special strict nursing requirements. If patients are active and can take care of themselves, they do not need special care. Furthermore, it is crucial to focus on secondary prevention, which is to prevent further occurrence of stroke, and to seek further treatment from a neurologist.

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Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
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What to eat for lacunar infarct.

Lacunar stroke is a type of cerebral infarction caused by small vessel disease that leads to the occlusion of cerebral vessels. Therefore, the dietary recommendations for lacunar stroke are similar to those for general stroke. For patients who are overweight, it is important to control body weight. It is recommended to reduce the intake of animal liver and other organ meats, as well as foods high in cholesterol or fat. It is advisable to consume high-quality proteins such as milk, duck, fish, and soy products. The intake of pork, beef, and lamb, especially fatty cuts, should be minimized and lean meats should be emphasized. Additionally, it is beneficial to consume more vitamin-rich foods such as tomatoes and fruits, and to increase the intake of vegetables. Diets should be light and avoid excessive salt intake to prevent hypertension, which can also lead to lacunar stroke.

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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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CT manifestations of cerebral infarction

Brain infarction has different manifestations on CT scans at different stages. Generally, within 24 hours, the CT scan may not show any imaging of the cerebral infarction lesion. However, some patients, especially those with thrombosis in the middle cerebral artery, might exhibit a high density sign in the middle cerebral artery. In cases of large-scale cerebral infarction, some sulci on the side affected by the infarction may appear shallower, indicating possible brain swelling. Generally, within 24 hours, a CT scan can reveal a low-density image, which appears relatively darker. This condition is typically considered a brain infarction, and as time progresses, this dark, or low-density image, tends to become even darker. In some patients during the acute phase, although the infarction may not be apparent, a CT scan is performed to rule out bleeding, as CT is very sensitive to bleeding.

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Can moxibustion be used for lacunar infarction (a type of stroke)?

Lacunar stroke is when small blood vessels in the deep parts of our brain's hemispheres or brainstem, under the long-term influence of high blood pressure, diabetes, or other risk factors, cause the supplying arteries to undergo ischemic necrosis. The affected areas typically have a diameter of less than 1.5 to 2 centimeters, leading to an acute syndrome of neurological function impairment. Treatment of this disease first depends on the patient's age and risk factors to decide whether to use medication. Also, the prognosis is generally good; there is no need for moxibustion, as moxibustion has neither benefits nor harms for lacunar stroke.