Table 1 Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project classification

Total anterior circulation syndrome (TACS)

•Hemiparesis AND

•Higher cortical dysfunction (dysphasia or visuospatial neglect) AND

•Homonymous hemianopia

Usually proximal middle cerebral artery (MCA) or ICA occlusion

Partial anterior circulation syndrome (PACS)

•Isolated higher cortical dysfunction OR

•Any two of hemiparesis, higher cortical dysfunction, hemianopia

Usually branch MCA occlusion

Posterior circulation syndrome (POCS)

Isolated hemianopia (posterior cerebral artery (PCA)) brainstem or cerebellar syndromes

Occlusion of vertebral, basilar, cerebellar, or PCA vessels

Lacunar syndrome (LACS)

• Pure motor stroke OR

• Pure sensory stroke OR

• Sensorimotor stroke OR

• Ataxic hemiparesis OR

• Clumsy hand-dysarthria

Small penetrating artery occlusion, usually in lenticulostriate branches of MCA, or supply to brainstem or deep white matter