Pathogenesis and neuroimaging features of cerebral small vessel disease

Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a common subtype of cerebrovascular disease. The number of symptomatic or asymptomatic patients with minor stroke due to CSVD increases year by year. Endothelial dysfunction, blood-brain barrier damage, ischemia and hypoperfusion-caused injury, genetic factors are considered to be related with the pathogenesis of CSVD. Small deep stroke, white matter lesion, cerebral microbleeds, and enlarged perivascular space are considered to be the neuroimaging features of CSVD. Following is a review of the pathogenesis and neuroimaging features of CSVD.