Is It A Concern When The MRI Shows Moderately Severe Diffuse Volume Loss With Enlargement Of The Subdural Spaces As Well As Simple CSF?

Posted on Sun, 20 Aug 2023

Question: My husbands MRI shows moderately severe diffuse volume loss with enlargement of the subdural spaces as well as simple CSF what should be a next step and what does this mean.

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please send the complete report

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

You've mentioned only a part of the report and I don't know the reason this test was done. The patient's symptoms or other findings that led your doctor to order the MRI are very important in interpreting the results. So please upload the complete report and also tell me your husband's symptoms.

If you're having difficulties uploading the report to this site, then you can upload it elsewhere and just send me the link.

I'll be waiting for your input.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (2 hours later)

My husband is experiencing a lot of short time memory loss thus the MRI ordered by our doctor. His family and church members have noticed how bad this has become expecially during the last 6 months. Not for sure how to upload report so typing it all here. 1. Moderately severe diffuse volume loss with enlargement of the subdural spaces as well as simple. 2. No intracranial hemorrhage, acute infarction, or tumor.3. findings as above.
ote: Exam for subtle metastatic or malignant disease somewhat limited by noncontrast
History: Malignant neoplasm of prostate
Moderately severe diffuse symmetric volume loss present with global enlargement of the subdudral space along with surgical drain cerebral spinal fluid. The gray-white singal pattern appears intact. Vascular flow voids at the skull base grossly open, The
cerebellum, brainstem, pituitary and clivus region grossly normal: empty sella noted. Mild mucoperiosteal thickening present in the mastoid sinuses. Mild periventricular T2-weighted white matter changes present. No mass, mass effect or hemorrhage. No restricted diffusion on DWI images. Orbital , periorbital, paranasal calvarial struictures intact..

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Brain shrinking

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Thanks for the additional information, although the complete report would have been more helpful; things seem to be missing from your text.

The most prominent finding is probably a shrinking brain, that is brain tissue that's smaller than it should be. Fluid has taken up the empty space. This is a common finding in people with dementia. Aging causes the same effect on the brain (the brain hemispheres shrink and the fluid expands) as well but it's usually less exaggerated. I noticed the words 'surgical drain' in your text. Has he ever had an operation or shunt placement by a neurosurgeon?

So in conclusion, this report seems to be in accordance with symptoms of dementia like the ones you've mentioned.

I hope I've answered your question. Please let me know if you need further assistance.

Regards

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar