Cerebral Infarct

=Introduction=

=Clinical Presentation=

=Pathology=

Cerebral infarction is due to major vascular obstruction at the anterior cerebral artery, middle cerebral artery, posterior cerebral artery, vertebral artery, or basilar artery. Common causes include atherosclerosis or thromboembolism. Susceptibility can be due to anatomical variations in the circle of Willis which will cause collateral flow to be absent.

Types
Acute (hours to days) Subacute (days to weeks) Chronic (months to years)
 * Gross features: soft, edematous
 * Microscopic features: coagulative necrosis, red neurons (shrinkage of the cell body, disruption of nuclear architecture, and loss of Nissl substance), spongy neuropil, neutrophilic response present where vascular supply is still present
 * Gross features: partially liquified
 * Microscopic features: liquefactive necrosis, neuronal and glial cell loss, macrophage/Glitter-cell response, reactive capillaries and gliosis
 * Gross features: cystic cavity with collapse of surrounding tissue
 * Microscopic features: cyst lined by gliotic scar, parenchymal loss, sometimes hemosiderin or macrophages present

=Radiology=

=Treatment=