Superficial middle cerebral artery territory infarction

Abstract

The superficial middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory includes the greater part of the lateral surface of the cerebral hemisphere. It is the most frequent infarct in MCA ischemic cerebrovascular pathology. It is divided into 12 areas supplied by 12 different arteries referred to as the irrigated areas; however, anatomical variations should be considered in these infarcts. Clinical symptomatology depends on the artery affected (changes in personality, judgment or motor synchronization disturbances, disorientation, hemianopia or hemineglect), but more frequently there is an overlapping of artery infarcts (insular syndrome and sensitive, motor or language disturbances). Embolic mechanism remains the main etiology of these infarcts, but due to different etiological mechanisms of ischemic stroke, an extensive neurovascular and cardiological assessment is essential for the correct treatment of the patient.