Distinct location of subcortical silent infarcts compared with symptomatic lacunar infarcts

Abstract

Objective To determine whether the location of subcortical silent infarcts differs from that of symptomatic lacunar infarcts. Methods 32 silent infarcts and 59 acute lacunar infarcts located in the corona radiata were examined. The relative anterior-to-posterior locations of the silent infarcts in the corona radiata were compared with those of the symptomatic lacunes on T2-weighed MR imaging. Results The locations of the silent infarcts differed from those of the symptomatic lacunar lesions in the corona radiata ( p < 0.001). Silent infarcts were distributed principally in the anterior half of the corona radiata, whereas most of the symptomatic lacunes were located in the posterior half of the corona radiata. Conclusion The asymptomatic nature of subcortical silent infarcts may be attributable to their location in ineloquent portions of brain structures.