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What Do My MRI Scan Test Results Indicate?
Question: I have had three strokes. One on the left lobe in 2014 and one on the right side in 1992. Had another stroke like episode on 7/30/16. MRI showed old lacunar infarct in right cerebellar hemisphere. Old right occipital and left parietal infarcts. Multiple nonspecific foci of T2 signal abnormality in the peri ventricular and sub cortical white matter likely represents small vessel ischemic disease. Cerebral atrophy. My question is do I have vascular dementia and will my cerebral atrophy get worse
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain that based on your MRI findings, you may suffer from vascular dementia, especially if your memory troubles have been triggered by your past repeated strokes.
Nevertheless, it is important determine the type of memory troubles you have, in order to evaluate the presence of dementia.
There are many cognitive tests that may be done for this purpose (MNSE, MOCA,etc.).
From the other hand Hachinski ischemik score is another score which determines if it is vascular dementia or not ( other types of dementia should be excluded like Alzheimer's, etc.).
For this purpose I would recommend consulting with a neurologist, in order to perform the above mentioned tests and rule in/out vascular dementia.
Regarding brain atrophy, it is commonly related to the age and it is progressive.
It is related to the continuous brain cells death in elderly age.
Unfortunately, there is not too much to be done to stop it's progression.
A healthy diet full of vitamins and antioxidants can help in this regard.
Having an active mind( learning new skills or reading) can also help.
Besides there are many medical treatments for dementia in order to help you with your memory troubles.
I recommend discussing on the above issues with the neurologist.
Hope to have been helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain that based on your MRI findings, you may suffer from vascular dementia, especially if your memory troubles have been triggered by your past repeated strokes.
Nevertheless, it is important determine the type of memory troubles you have, in order to evaluate the presence of dementia.
There are many cognitive tests that may be done for this purpose (MNSE, MOCA,etc.).
From the other hand Hachinski ischemik score is another score which determines if it is vascular dementia or not ( other types of dementia should be excluded like Alzheimer's, etc.).
For this purpose I would recommend consulting with a neurologist, in order to perform the above mentioned tests and rule in/out vascular dementia.
Regarding brain atrophy, it is commonly related to the age and it is progressive.
It is related to the continuous brain cells death in elderly age.
Unfortunately, there is not too much to be done to stop it's progression.
A healthy diet full of vitamins and antioxidants can help in this regard.
Having an active mind( learning new skills or reading) can also help.
Besides there are many medical treatments for dementia in order to help you with your memory troubles.
I recommend discussing on the above issues with the neurologist.
Hope to have been helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the additional information!
Small vessel ischemic disease is caused by gradual occlusion of the small cerebral arteries.
It is a common cause of brain atrphy too.
The main cause of this disorder is uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, etc..
So, I would recommend you to closely monitor your blood pressure values frequently during the day (in sitting position after 10 minutes of total relax) and refer those values to your attending physician.
It is also important performing blood tests (blood lipid profile, fasting glucose) in order to have to investigate for diabetes or dyslipidemia.
Having a better control of these risk factors can help stop the progression of the disease.
I would also recommend taking aspirin 80mg daily for the prevention of further vessel occlusion and a statin (atorvastatin, etc.) especially if you have elevated cholesterol levels.
Some lifestyle modifications would also help reduce further progression of small vessel disease:
- a healthy diet (reduce salt and caffeine intake, Mediterranean diet would is advisable)
- Perform a lot of physical activity (aerobics, walking, recreational sports, etc.)
- try to lose some pounds if you are overweight
- avoid alcohol intake or smoking contacts.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the additional information!
Small vessel ischemic disease is caused by gradual occlusion of the small cerebral arteries.
It is a common cause of brain atrphy too.
The main cause of this disorder is uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, etc..
So, I would recommend you to closely monitor your blood pressure values frequently during the day (in sitting position after 10 minutes of total relax) and refer those values to your attending physician.
It is also important performing blood tests (blood lipid profile, fasting glucose) in order to have to investigate for diabetes or dyslipidemia.
Having a better control of these risk factors can help stop the progression of the disease.
I would also recommend taking aspirin 80mg daily for the prevention of further vessel occlusion and a statin (atorvastatin, etc.) especially if you have elevated cholesterol levels.
Some lifestyle modifications would also help reduce further progression of small vessel disease:
- a healthy diet (reduce salt and caffeine intake, Mediterranean diet would is advisable)
- Perform a lot of physical activity (aerobics, walking, recreational sports, etc.)
- try to lose some pounds if you are overweight
- avoid alcohol intake or smoking contacts.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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