Question:medium
Identify the condition shown in the CT image.
Identify the condition shown in the CT image.
Show Hint
Small, deep, rounded sub-1.5 cm cavity from a single perforator block.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
- Lacunar infarct
- Embolic infarct
- Thrombotic infarct
- Intracerebral hemorrhage
Show Solution
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: A tiny, deep, circular hypodense focus on CT points to disease of one small penetrating vessel rather than a major artery, which is the signature of a lacune.
Step 2: These strokes arise when a single perforator is blocked, so the dead tissue is confined to a small deep region near the basal ganglia, internal capsule, thalamus or pons.
Step 3: Over time the affected tissue contracts into a fluid-filled cavity under $1.5$ cm and is bordered by gliosis that is bright on FLAIR, distinguishing it from a normal perivascular space.
Step 4: Bleeds look bright (hyperdense) on plain CT, ruling out option d, and embolic or thrombotic infarcts are territorial and far larger, ruling out b and c. For the earliest detection MRI-DWI is superior, showing restricted diffusion.
\[\boxed{\text{Lacunar infarct}}\]
Step 2: These strokes arise when a single perforator is blocked, so the dead tissue is confined to a small deep region near the basal ganglia, internal capsule, thalamus or pons.
Step 3: Over time the affected tissue contracts into a fluid-filled cavity under $1.5$ cm and is bordered by gliosis that is bright on FLAIR, distinguishing it from a normal perivascular space.
Step 4: Bleeds look bright (hyperdense) on plain CT, ruling out option d, and embolic or thrombotic infarcts are territorial and far larger, ruling out b and c. For the earliest detection MRI-DWI is superior, showing restricted diffusion.
\[\boxed{\text{Lacunar infarct}}\]
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