Ischemic lesions, lacunar infarcts and leukoaraiosis on head CT or MRI are commonly detected in patients with non-specific symptoms such as dizziness and headache or people undergoing healthy physical examinations. Although these imaging findings are mostly related to vascular disease, especially cerebral small vessel disease, it does not mean that long-term use of antiplatelet drugs and statins are required. On the basis of literature review and clinical experiences, the article points out that the treatment methods for such manifestations include determining whether these lesions are vascular lesions, searching for risk factors or causes such as aging, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, vascular stenosis, and psychological factors, and taking strategies for the corresponding prevention and management, provides a reference for the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of these imaging manifestations in clinical practice.
Cerebral small vessel disease is a common neurological disease, including acute and non-acute categories. With the development of neuroimaging, cerebral small vessel disease has attracted substantial attention in recent years. However, the categories and concepts of cerebral small vessel disease and the related imaging markers usually confuse people. The purpose of this study was to discuss the relationships among acute and non-acute cerebral small vessel disease and the imaging markers, so as to improve the understanding of cerebral small vessel disease, and to shed light on clinical practice and research.