INCOMPLETE LACUNAR INFARCTION (TYPE IB LACUNES)

The aetiopathogenesis of small, deep (lacunar) infarcts remains contro versial. The view that they are caused by occlusive intrinsic small ve ssel disease is widely held, but is based on only a small number of de tailed pathology studies. We describe and illustrate a variant of smal l, microvessel-associated basal ganglia lesion, the histopathological features of which are distinct from those of classical Types I, II and III lacunes. Their appearances suggest a state of incomplete infarcti on. The pathogenetic significance of such lesions is discussed, in par ticular the role of mechanisms causing temporary or only moderately se vere ischaemia.