Clinical features of progressive lacunar infarction--retrospective analysis of patients with motor syndromes.

The clinical features of progressive lacunar infarction were analyzed in 20 patients with lacunar infarction. Seven of the 20 patients experienced paresis progression and the remaining 13 patients had a stable course. The mean age of progressive lacunar infarction patients (78.6 +/- 4.30 yrs) was significantly higher than that of stable lacunar infarction patients (65.1 +/- 7.68 yrs) (p < 0.01). Patients presenting with pure motor stroke were more likely to have progressive stroke (7/13) than those presenting with sensorimotor stroke (0/7) (p < 0.05). Paresis aggravation began on Day 1 and ceased on Day 2 in most patients. Progressive paresis began to improve after reaching the nadir. Hemiparesis was only slightly worse after 1 month compared with that on admission. Older patients are more likely to have a progressive course. Paresis progression in lacunar patients does not preclude the possibility of recovery and is not necessarily associated with a poor prognosis.