Which stroke is characterized by lacunar syndromes such as pure motor hemiparesis or pure sensory syndrome?

• A. Classic Lacunar Syndrome
• B. Thalamic Syndrome
• C. Locked-In Syndrome
• D. Weber's Syndrome

Answer: (A)

Lacunar strokes result from disease of small penetrating arteries, producing infarcts in deep subcortical structures like the internal capsule or thalamus. Because these areas govern motor and sensory pathways without involving the cerebral cortex, the clinical picture is typically pure motor hemiparesis or pure sensory loss, sometimes with a sensorimotor combination. The term Classic Lacunar Syndrome captures these classic, pure subcortical presentations caused by small vessel disease, making it the best fit for describing strokes with pure motor or pure sensory features.

The other options describe different syndromes: a brainstem or midbrain infarct can cause other patterns (not the pure subcortical motor/sensory syndromes), and while a thalamic lacune can produce sensory symptoms, the broader category that encompasses both pure motor and pure sensory lacunar presentations is the Classic Lacunar Syndrome.