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What Does This MRI Report Indicate?
Question: What does the following mean?
Several small non confluent T2/FLAIR hyperinensities are seen in the cerebral white matter predominatly in a frontal lobe distribution. These are nonspecific in nature and most likely represent chronic ischaemic foci due to small vessel disease.
I have never ever smoked, ever ever, however I have been exposed to smoking and have suffered from severe migranes. Thank you
Several small non confluent T2/FLAIR hyperinensities are seen in the cerebral white matter predominatly in a frontal lobe distribution. These are nonspecific in nature and most likely represent chronic ischaemic foci due to small vessel disease.
I have never ever smoked, ever ever, however I have been exposed to smoking and have suffered from severe migranes. Thank you
Brief Answer:
Nothing allarming.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
First I would like to explain that the brains of each of us (like the rest of our bodies) do undergo some changes with age including blood vessels. With time there is some narrowing of the blood vessels which naturally is more noticeable the smaller they are as their lumen is smaller. As a result there are tiny areas supplied by these the tiniest vessels which lack blood flow (ischemia).
So that is what the MRI speaks about, changes due to narrowing of the blood vessels more pronounced in the anterior part of the brain, the frontal lobes. As I said such changes are more likely to be found with age, they are very common after the age of 65. Whether they cause any symptoms depends on how pronounced they are, judging from that report they are mild in your case and shouldn't be causing any important symptoms, can even be called expected for your age.
Of course ideally one would want there not to be such changes at all and if there are for them to evolve as slowly as possible. There are genetic factors at play such as amyloid depositions in the vessel walls which can not be helped. However there are factors which can be addressed such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking etc. So all we can do is check periodically for these factors and if found try to address them, nothing much apart from that, as I said to an extent are part of aging.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Nothing allarming.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
First I would like to explain that the brains of each of us (like the rest of our bodies) do undergo some changes with age including blood vessels. With time there is some narrowing of the blood vessels which naturally is more noticeable the smaller they are as their lumen is smaller. As a result there are tiny areas supplied by these the tiniest vessels which lack blood flow (ischemia).
So that is what the MRI speaks about, changes due to narrowing of the blood vessels more pronounced in the anterior part of the brain, the frontal lobes. As I said such changes are more likely to be found with age, they are very common after the age of 65. Whether they cause any symptoms depends on how pronounced they are, judging from that report they are mild in your case and shouldn't be causing any important symptoms, can even be called expected for your age.
Of course ideally one would want there not to be such changes at all and if there are for them to evolve as slowly as possible. There are genetic factors at play such as amyloid depositions in the vessel walls which can not be helped. However there are factors which can be addressed such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking etc. So all we can do is check periodically for these factors and if found try to address them, nothing much apart from that, as I said to an extent are part of aging.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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