define tiny lacunar infarct of left basal ganglia?

Answer 1

This is a radiologic read for seeing a very small stroke on a study like MRI or CT. Below are the definitions.

Lacunar infarcts are small deep infarcts (an area of dead cells from either a bleed or blockage of the artery - it is due to the tissue being starved from oxygen) with a maximum diameter of 1.5 cm and a volume of 0.2-3.4 cm3

The basal ganglia are a group of nuclei in the brain interconnected with the cerebral cortex, thalamus and brainstem. Mammalian basal ganglia are associated with a variety of functions: motor control, cognition, emotions and learning.

Here is a photo of the MRI (a thin slice through the center of the brain) - with an arrow pointing out the problem

http://drmikemerrill.typepad.com/photos/medical_images/lacunar_2.html


I hope this helps.