LACUNAR SYNDROMES DUE TO INTRACEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE

Nine cases (seven men and two women, mean age 64.5 years) of classical lacunar syndromes due to intracerebral hemorrhage are reported Three patients presented with pure motor hemiparesis (two putaminal hematomas with proportional weakness and one cortical hemorrhage with brachiocrural hemiparesis). Four patients presented with sensorimotor stroke due to thalamocapsular hemorrhage. The last two patients had thalamic hemorrhage causing ataxic hemiparesis or dysarthria-clumsy hand syndrome. Four subjects had arterial hypertension, one was diabetic, and two were treated with antivitamine K. Abrupt onset was noted in all instances. Only one patient experienced moderate inaugural headaches. Good recovery occurred in all cases. Lacunar syndromes are a very uncommon presentation of intracerebral bleeding. Hemorrhages are yet the second etiology of such syndromes. Distinguishing hemorrhage from infarction is not clinically possible and needs early unenhanced CT scan.