A 76-year-old female presents with weakness of the left side of her body. She has no dysphasia.
Examination reveals power of 3/5 in the flexor muscles of the left upper arm and 2/5 in the extensor muscles of the left upper arm. Power in her left leg is 3/5 in the extensor muscles of the left leg and 2/5 in the flexor
muscles. She has normal visual fields and sensation is intact.
An abbreviated mental test score is 10/10.
Please select the best option below to classify her stroke.
A Left lacunar infarct (LACI)
B Right lacunar infarct (LACI) This is the correct answer
C Right partial anterior circulation infarct (PACI)
D Right posterior circulation infarct (POCI)
E Right total anterior circulation infarct (TACI)
Option A is incorrect because a left lacunar infarct will cause right sided motor symptoms.
Answer B is correct as this patient has a pure motor stroke. This is classified as a lacunar infarct according to
the Bamford classification.
Answer C is incorrect because the patient’s symptoms and signs are not consistent with a partial anterior
circulation infarct.
Option D is incorrect because the patient’s symptoms and signs are not consistent with a posterior circulation
infarct.
Option E is incorrect because the patient’s symptoms and signs are not consistent with a total anterior
circulation infarct.