Objectives To observe the distribution of enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVSs) in acute ischemic stroke, and determine the factors that influence basal ganglia and centrum semiovale EPVSs. Methods We prospectively registered consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke at the neurological wards of Jianyang Municipal People’s Hospital and West China Hospital of Sichuan University from February 1st to November 1st, 2014. Patients with ischemic stroke within 14 days of symptom onset, having magnetic resonance image (MRI) scan were included. Basal ganglia and centrum semiovale EPVSs, white matter hyperintensity, cerebral atrophy and lacunar infraction were rated using validated scales by reading MRI. Clinical information was obtained using standardized forms. The distribution of EPVSs was observed and analyzed. The evalution of EPVSs was analyzed in relation to age, vascular risk factor, cerebral atrophy, white matter hyperintensity, lacunar infraction, etc, by using univariate and multivariate logistical regression to evaluate the influencing factors for basal ganglia and centrum semiovale EPVSs. Results A total of 170 patients with acute ischemic stroke within 14 days from onset were included; in whom, 97.6% had EPVSs in basal ganglia and all had EPVSs in centrum semiovale. The most common scores of basal ganglia EPVSs were 1 point and 2 points. The most common scores of centrum semiovale EPVSs were 2 and 3 points. In logistic regression, age [odds ratio (OR)=1.043, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.015, 1.071), P=0.002], periventricular white matter hyperintensity [OR=4.203, 95%CI (1.525, 11.583), P=0.006] and hypertension [OR=3.965, 95%CI (1.927, 8.157), P<0.001] were independently associated with increased severity of basal ganglia EPVSs. Only periventricular white matter hyperintensity [OR=2.248, 95%CI (1.054, 4.795), P=0.036] was independently associated with increased severity of centrum semiovale EPVSs in logistic regression. Conclusions EPVSs are common in ischemic stroke. There is a lower prevalence of EPVS in the basal ganglia compared with the centrum semiovale. Compared with centrum semiovale EPVSs, basal ganglia EPVSs are more associated with hypertensive cerebral small vessel disease, which may be a marker for hypertensive cerebral small vessel disease.