What Does "Nonspecific Flair Hyperintense Focus Within The Pons" Mean?
1.Scattered punctate FLAIR hyperintense foci involving the bilateral frontal lobes and bilateral parietal lobes. Nonspecific FLAIR hyperintense focus within the pons.
2. Chronic microvascular ischemic disease
Given my family history of early onset dementia, could these findings relate to dementia? Thank you.
It can relate to dementia but you can control it
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Scattered punctate FLAIR hyperintensities are very commonly reported in MRI brain scans of people older than 60 years of age. These hyperintensities have been associated with stroke, dementia and other brain related conditions. At the same time, microvascular ischemic changes are also known to cause such dementia like features.
There is no need to worry much about it. Since you have hypertension, please keep your blood pressure under control, eat right, exercise, avoid smoking and only drink alcohol in moderation. This will go a long way in slowing down any significant dementia that might have started. Though, these changes can progress as you have a strong family history of dementia, you can slow down this process by taking precautions.
Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek