[Lacunar strokes: clinical conditions vs. localization of lesions in neuroimaging studies].

Clinical records of 89 patients with lacunar stroke were reviewed, to evaluate the occurrence of neurological syndrome and to correlate the frequency of its signs with the localization of ischaemic lesions seen in neuroimaging examinations. "Pure" motor paresis (50%) and sensory-motor paresis (27%) were the most common clinical syndromes. The localization in putamen and corona radiata (37%), or in anterior part of the internal capsule and in the head of the caudate nucleus (35%) were the most frequent sites of localization. In the group of patients with lesions in anterior part of internal capsule or with lesions in putamen and corona radiata "pure" motor paresis was the most common clinical syndrome. Additionally, in the group of patients with lesions in putamen and corona radiata sensory motor paresis was also frequently observed (44%). During one year of follow-up 22 patients died. Dysarthria and disability (Barthel Index < 60) were the independent predictors of one year mortality. Non-neurological complications were the main cause of death.