Abstract

Background: Lacunar stroke is a common occlusive stroke with significant morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of lacunar stroke in patients admitted to the neurology department of Yalgado Ouedraogo University Hospital.

Patients and methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in stroke patients admitted to the neurology department from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2020.

Results: Lacunar stroke accounted for 30.6% of all ischemic strokes. The mean age of lacunar stroke patients was 61.59 ±14 years ranging from 28 to 90 years. The most prevalent vascular risk factors were hypertension (90.3%), diabetes mellitus (34.9%) and smoking (13.6%). Neurological examination revealed pure motor deficit (99%), aphasia (54.4%) and pure sensory disorders (21.35%). Seventy patients (68%) had a NIHSS score ≤ 15. On brain CT, the main localizations of lesion were the internal capsule (39.8%), the cerebellum (18.4%) and the lenticular nucleus (10.7%). Multiple localization was found in 58.2% of patients. The number of lacunae per patient was 2.86. A cardio-embolism source was found in 35.9% of patients. Carotid stenosis ≥ 50% was present in 10.7% of patients. Rankin score ≤ 2 in 27.2% of patients. The death rate was 5.8%. Length of stay ≤ 7 days was observed in 45.6% of patients. Factors associated with lacunar stroke were age (p= 0, 01415), hypertension (p= 0.0012) and diabetes mellitus (p= 0.0027).

Conclusion: Lacunar stroke accounting for a quarter of all ischemic strokes. Hypertension, age, and diabetes have been the most frequently associated risk factors.

Lacunar ischemic stroke, Neuroimaging, Associated risk factors