Infarction, hemorrhage, ischemia, or hypoxia of any component of the BASAL GANGLIA of the brain. Clinical manifestations may include involuntary or dyskinetic movements and hemiparesis (secondary to involvement of the INTERNAL CAPSULE). Etiologies include atherosclerosis, hypertension, inflammatory conditions (e.g., vasculitis), and emboli of arterial or cardiac origin. Lacunar infarctions frequently occur in the basal ganglia. Hemorrhages in this region are associated with hypertension, but may also result from the rupture of vascular malformations.
