Ischemic strokes often present as lacunar infarcts, wherein flow along the deep penetrating vessels of the middle cerebral artery is compromised.
These strokes typically present with either purely motor or purely sensory neurologic deficit, in an ipsilateral pattern, often striking parts of the basal ganglia.
Lacunar infarcts may present in a mild manner and carry the best prognosis for recovery relative to other types of ischemic stroke.
