What Does My CT Scan Test Report Indicate?

Posted on Thu, 23 Jul 2015

Question: Hello,
My father is 54 years old and he has undergone a CT scan, which proclaims that he has "Mild diffuse cerebral & cerebellar atrophy- age related change" . He also suffers from depression and is presently having some speech problems as well. I would really like to know as to what to make of this and how to proceed, thanking you in advance, XXXX

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Age related atrophy is normal.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query.

Age related cerebral and cerebellar atrophy is 'age related' as the name itself says.It is an absolutely normal finding in old aged persons.

Please get him treated for his depression by a psychiatrist.
Please tell details about the speech problem?Does he speak the words clearly or with slurring?Is his speech output normal---like that.
Please follow up with details so that I can answer your query well.
Waiting for your follow up.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

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

Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (7 minutes later)

Thanks for your reply, his speech output is not as clear as it used to be. The words are not clear enough, yes a bit of slurring, and speaks in a louder tone than he used to.
He is being treated by a psychiatrist.
Now about the normalcy of finding it in old aged people, the doctor who attended to him, said that the CT scan depicts the brain of someone 10/15 years older than him.
Expecting your expert opinion on all of it, and a thanks again

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Physiological variations can occur.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being in follow-up.

I have seen the CT Head.Diffuse cerebral atrophy have no such defined age limited criterias.Physiological variations are common in medicine.Diffuse brain atrophy does not have much significance if patient doesn't have out of proportion symptoms, at this age.
His speech problems can't be a result of diffuse cerebral and cerebellar atrophy.So,Diffuse brain atrophy should be taken as age related and non-significant.

Please get him examined by a neurologist for his speech abnormality because it is must to hear him to make any impression about speech problems.

Hope that I have answered your query.If you have some follow-up questions,I shall be glad to answer else please close the thread,rate it and write a review as your rating will be of help to me.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

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

Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (43 minutes later)

Hello, thanks for the reply.
We consulted a neurologist and he asked for an MRI scan of the neck.
Secondly my father insists on going to vellore for a check up, now traveling to Vellore from XXXXXXX isn't that easy, now what can you suggest about this decision of going to Vellore ... And how serious is his condition?

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer: XXXXXXX has good options too.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being in follow-up.

Even XXXXXXX has some excellent options like IPGMER XXXXXXX This is a superspeciality institute known for great expertise in Neurology.

Seriousness can't be commented exactly without examining the patient.It does not appear to be life threatening,however.

Hope that I have answered your query.If you have some follow-up questions,I shall be glad to answer else please close the thread,rate it and write a review as your rating will be of help to me.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

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

Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (14 days later)

Hello,
Thank you it really felt good receiving your answers. I took my father to CMC Vellore, he has been diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apenea. They have prescribed a sleep test. Anything that you would like to mention in this regard.

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Proceed with Sleep test(Polysomnography)

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being in follow-up.

CMC Vellore is definitely a renowned institute and specially known for its Neurology superspeciality.
Obstructive sleep apnea,of course,can result in chronic depression.It is probably, secondarily causing his minor speech problems as well.
Is suggest you to proceed ahead with Polysomnography(overnight sleep test).If diagnosed and treated well,most of his symptoms will improve.

If you have any further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

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