Anatomic and clinical correlations of the lenticulostriate arteries

Abstract

The authors examined the lenticulostriate (perforating) arteries in the vascular casts of 48 middle cerebral arteries (MCA), as well as in the MRI or CT scans of 32 patients with cerebral infarcts in the MCA territory. The lenticulostriate arteries ranged between two and 12 in number, and from 80 microm to 1,400 microm in size. They originated from the main trunk, terminal trunks, bifurcation site, and/or leptomeningeal branches of the MCA, either separately or from common trunks (70.8%). The extreme variations of the supplying region of the perforators were noted in seven anatomic specimens. In addition to the basal ganglia, the genu, and the anterior limb of the internal capsule, the lenticulostriate arteries seemed to supply only the rostral portion of the superior part of the posterior limb of the capsule. The patients presented with occlusion of all the lenticulostriate arteries, individual arteries, or only their twigs. Complete occlusion of these arteries resulted in a huge central hemispheric infarct. Occlusion of an individual artery most often caused a large ganglionic-capsular infarct. The authors concluded that the lacunar infarcts usually follow occlusion of a terminal or a side branch of the lenticulostriate arteries.

Heterogeneity in Infarct Patterns and Clinical Outcomes Following Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion

“…26 The lenticulostriate arteries usually originate from the proximal MCA. 27 In the case of MCA occlusion after the origin of the lenticulostriate arteries, the striatocapsular region would have been salvaged by collateral flow from the contralateral ICA via the anterior communicating artery to the MCA and then the lenticulostriate arteries. 27 Similarly, the lower risk of infarction in the territory of the anterior choroidal artery may be due to the cranial part of the anterior choroidal artery forming anastomoses, with branches of MCA and PCA and the caudal part of the anterior choroidal artery forming anastomoses with branches of the posterior communicating artery and PCA.…”

“…27 In the case of MCA occlusion after the origin of the lenticulostriate arteries, the striatocapsular region would have been salvaged by collateral flow from the contralateral ICA via the anterior communicating artery to the MCA and then the lenticulostriate arteries. 27 Similarly, the lower risk of infarction in the territory of the anterior choroidal artery may be due to the cranial part of the anterior choroidal artery forming anastomoses, with branches of MCA and PCA and the caudal part of the anterior choroidal artery forming anastomoses with branches of the posterior communicating artery and PCA. 17 Furthermore, the lower risk of infarction of the insula region from isolated ICA occlusion may be due to this region receiving its arterial supply directly from the M1 segment and branches from superior and inferior divisions of the MCA.…”

Analysis of Correlation between the Number of Lenticulostriate Arteries and Hypertension Based on High-Resolution MR Angiography Findings

“…7,8 Lacunar infarcts account for Ͼ20% of all strokes, and the basal ganglia are involved in 35%-44% of intracerebral hemorrhages. 9,10 Thus, in vivo imaging of LSAs could provide important insights for understanding the pathophysiology and mechanism of microvascular diseases associated with hypertension.…”

Long Insular Artery Infarction: Characteristics of a Previously Unrecognized Entity

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Among the deep penetrating arteries, the lenticulostriate arteries (LSAs) arise from the M1 segment of the MCA and supply the lower part of the corona radiata. [7][8][9][10] The superficial penetrating arteries, namely the white matter medullary arteries (WMMAs), arise from the cortical branches of the MCA and feed the periventricular deep white matter.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Among the deep penetrating arteries, the lenticulostriate arteries (LSAs) arise from the M1 segment of the MCA and supply the lower part of the corona radiata. [7][8][9][10] The superficial penetrating arteries, namely the white matter medullary arteries (WMMAs), arise from the cortical branches of the MCA and feed the periventricular deep white matter. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Several reports suggest that WMMA infarction should be distinguished from LSA infarction and treated differently because of their different clinical and etiologic backgrounds.…”