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A lacunar stroke is a blockage of blood flow to a part of the brain supplied by one or more small arteries. A lacunar stroke occurs when one of the arteries that provide blood to the brain's deep structures is blocked. These arteries are small, and are uniquely vulnerable. Hypertension can lead to lacunar strokes because it causes a pounding pulse. High blood pressure can directly damage these arteries. It also can dislodge small clumps or clots that can block blood flow. Unlike strokes that damage the cortex, lacunar strokes are only rarely caused by a blood clot that forms elsewhere in the body, such as the neck or heart, and travels through the bloodstream to the brain. A clot traveling through the bloodstream is called an embolus. It is difficult for an embolus to make its way into the small arteries that can cause a lacunar stroke. Lacunar strokes, a subtype of ischemic stroke, have earned their name because the area rendered ischemic takes the form of a small lacune or cavity (usually less than 15mm in diameter). In lacunar stroke one of the tiny blood vessels deep inside the brain tissue becomes blocked, leading to the death of the small area of tissue that it supplies. Lacunar strokes are usually less severe.

Smoking is an established risk factor for lacunes. In a lacunar stroke, brain cells in a relatively small area are damaged or killed by lack of oxygen. These small areas of brain destruction are called lacunes. Lacunar strokes involve only small areas of the brain, but they cause significant disability. The symptoms of lacunar stroke vary depending on the part of the brain that is deprived of its blood supply. Different areas of the brain are responsible for different functions, such as sensation, movement, sight, speech, balance and coordination. In an intra-cerebral haemorrhage the bleeding occurs inside the brain itself. In a subarachnoid haemorrage the burst blood vessel bleeds into the subarachnoid space surrounding the brain. Unlike strokes that damage the cortex, lacunar strokes are only rarely caused by a blood clot that forms elsewhere in the body, such as the neck or heart, and travels through the bloodstream to the brain. A person with a severe stroke may need help with self-care or feeding. To prevent future strokes, it is very important to control high blood pressure. It helps to take a daily aspirin or other blood-thinning medication (ticlopidine or clopidogrel).

Causes of Lacunar stroke

Here are the list of the possible causes of Lacunar Stroke:

• Diabetes mellitus.
• A cerebral hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain) can cause a stroke by depriving blood and oxygen to parts of the brain.
• Alcohol consumption.
• Smoking is an established risk factor for lacunar stroke.
• History of prior of stroke.

Symptoms of Lacunar Stroke

Some sign and symptoms related to Lacunar Stroke:

• Sudden numbness.
• Difficulty with muscle movements, such as swallowing, moving arms and legs.
• Difficulty speaking.
• Weakness or paralysis of eye muscles.
• Clumsiness of a hand or arm.
• Dysarthria and dysphagia also may be present.

Treatment of Lacunar Stroke

Some most common treatmet of Lacunar Stroke:

• If doctors are able to provide treatment within three hours after symptoms start, they probably will use with a clot-dissolving medication.
• Patients with clot-related stroke who are ineligible for t-PA treatment may be treated with heparin or other blood thinners, or with aspirin or other anti-clotting agents in some cases.
• A speech-language therapist can assist with speech-language problems and swallowing disorders. Early assessment of a patient with swallowing problems may prevent dehydration and malnutrition from inadequate intake, as well as prevent aspiration and pneumonia.
• Surgery rarely is required, but patients with severe dysphagia may require long-term tube feeding.