Researchers have known about the pathological entities of lacunar and subcortical infarction for over a century. However, the numerical importance in terms of the number of patients presenting with strokes due to these lesions has only been fully appreciated in the last 10 years. There is currently a high level of interest in pharmalogical and surgical treatments for acute stroke and secondary stroke prevention, and the fact that in patients who have lacunar strokes there is a distinctive pathological mechanism has important practical implications. The international panel of editors and contributors who have written this timely volume represent the major stroke research centers in the world. They have compiled an authoritative work dealing with all aspects of the diseases. The advent of a new generation of scanning equipment has lead to much more precise diagnosis of this diseases and therefore to improved treatment regimens. This new book covers all these issues and closes with a section that summarizes the current position in disease investigation and management.