Neurology: lacunar infarct: practice question

A General Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Medicine · Neurology: lacunar infarct

Sample item

A long-standing hypertensive patient develops sudden pure motor hemiparesis involving the face, arm and leg without sensory or cortical signs. What is the likely lesion?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Lacunar infarct of the posterior limb of the internal capsule

Lacunes are small infarcts from lipohyalinosis of penetrating arteries in hypertension and diabetes. Pure motor stroke occurs from internal capsule or pons lesions. Cortical signs such as aphasia or neglect are absent.

Option by option

  • A. Large MCA cortical infarct

    Cortical infarcts cause aphasia or neglect.

  • B. Subarachnoid haemorrhage

    SAH causes thunderclap headache.

  • C. Brainstem tumour

    A tumour is slowly progressive.

  • D. Lacunar infarct of the posterior limb of the internal capsule (correct)

    Correct. Pure motor stroke suggests a lacune.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is D, Lacunar infarct of the posterior limb of the internal capsule. Lacunes are small infarcts from lipohyalinosis of penetrating arteries in hypertension and diabetes.

Why is "Large MCA cortical infarct" not the answer?

Cortical infarcts cause aphasia or neglect.

Why is "Subarachnoid haemorrhage" not the answer?

SAH causes thunderclap headache.

Why is "Brainstem tumour" not the answer?

A tumour is slowly progressive.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neurology: lacunar infarct in General Medicine. Pure motor stroke occurs from internal capsule or pons lesions. Cortical signs such as aphasia or neglect are absent.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Neurology: lacunar infarct?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.