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What Does The MRI Scan Test Report Indicate?
Question: my husband had an MRI. on report: Impression: Multiple small sites of recent cerebral infarction. Does this mean he has had XXXXXXX strokes and is at risk for a large stroke?
Brief Answer:
Yes multiple XXXXXXX strokes
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
That analysis you make is correct, the MRI report speaks of several small strokes and urgent evaluation is needed to identify the cause and take the necessary measures to prevent a more voluminous stroke with major consequences from happening. While there is no specific treatment for those lesions which already have happened prevention is key now.
Most common causes are atherosclerosis of major blood vessels or a cardiac cause. Already from the distribution of the lesions on MRI a hypothesis can be made, if the lesions are on different territories a heart issue is more probable, if all in the territory covered by a major vessel that vessel may be affected.
Anyway tests are needed, apart from some routine blood tests, also ecg, heart ultrasound, ultrasound of the neck vessels. Depending on results if the cause still not clear may be pushed further with trans esophageal heart ultrasound, prolonged ECG monitoring etc.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Yes multiple XXXXXXX strokes
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
That analysis you make is correct, the MRI report speaks of several small strokes and urgent evaluation is needed to identify the cause and take the necessary measures to prevent a more voluminous stroke with major consequences from happening. While there is no specific treatment for those lesions which already have happened prevention is key now.
Most common causes are atherosclerosis of major blood vessels or a cardiac cause. Already from the distribution of the lesions on MRI a hypothesis can be made, if the lesions are on different territories a heart issue is more probable, if all in the territory covered by a major vessel that vessel may be affected.
Anyway tests are needed, apart from some routine blood tests, also ecg, heart ultrasound, ultrasound of the neck vessels. Depending on results if the cause still not clear may be pushed further with trans esophageal heart ultrasound, prolonged ECG monitoring etc.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
could you please tell me if: "this involves the left and right temporal lobes and the left side of the pons" would this affect his speech.
And why wouldn't there by symptoms that we (he) would have noticed of this happening.
And why wouldn't there by symptoms that we (he) would have noticed of this happening.
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
A certain area of the left temporal lobe plays a part in speech (language comprehension), not the right one. The pons doesn't affect language itself but may cause some difficulty articulating words. But it would have happened at the onset of the lesions though, if it hasn't happened till now it won't happen from now on, no worry, not unless there is a new stroke.
Since this is the case of small lesions which do not involve a major area of the temporal lobe it is not surprising there haven't been any manifestations, symptoms in this area can be very subtle, as they are not involved in motor function (doesn't cause any limb weakness, most commonly noted symptom), it is a common occurrence nothing has been noticed.
For the pons it is less common, usually there is some at least transitory episode of difficulty articulating words or weakness of the limbs, but again with small lesions can't be excluded to be missed, as the remaining cells compensate for the damaged ones and functionality is not affected.
I hope to have been of help.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
A certain area of the left temporal lobe plays a part in speech (language comprehension), not the right one. The pons doesn't affect language itself but may cause some difficulty articulating words. But it would have happened at the onset of the lesions though, if it hasn't happened till now it won't happen from now on, no worry, not unless there is a new stroke.
Since this is the case of small lesions which do not involve a major area of the temporal lobe it is not surprising there haven't been any manifestations, symptoms in this area can be very subtle, as they are not involved in motor function (doesn't cause any limb weakness, most commonly noted symptom), it is a common occurrence nothing has been noticed.
For the pons it is less common, usually there is some at least transitory episode of difficulty articulating words or weakness of the limbs, but again with small lesions can't be excluded to be missed, as the remaining cells compensate for the damaged ones and functionality is not affected.
I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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