Step 1: The CT shows a small, rounded, well-defined deep area of low density, which is the classic appearance of a lacunar infarct.
Step 2: A lacunar infarct results from occlusion of a single deep perforating artery. Acutely the lesion is rounded with a hazy outline and may enlarge slightly in the subacute phase.
Step 3: When mature, lacunes become sharply delineated, shrink to typically less than 1.5 cm in diameter, and turn cavity-like. On FLAIR a gliotic hyperintense rim separates a mature lacune from a perivascular space.
Step 4: Embolic and thrombotic infarcts (b, c) follow a vascular territory and are larger and wedge-shaped, while intracerebral hemorrhage (d) appears as high density (bright) on non-contrast CT, not low density. The investigation of choice for a hyperacute infarct is MRI, with DWI being the best sequence showing restricted diffusion.