HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Had MRI Done. Had Scattered Area Of High Signal Intensity In Deep White Matter. What Is Microvascular Leukoencephalopthy?

What is microvascular leukoencephalopathy? Is it pre-Alzheimers? Dementia? I am 65 years young but an MRI 2 years ago showed this along with "scattered areas of high signal intensity in the deep white matter, particularly at the gray-white matter junction and centrum semiovale". It also said I had "mild age-related atrophy.
Mon, 29 Apr 2013
Report Abuse
Neurologist 's  Response
Hi,

Thank you for posting your query.

Your MRI brain findings are suggestive of ischemia (lack of blood flow to the brain). The common underlying risk factors for the same include high BP, sugar and cholesterol. There is a slightly higher risk of dementia, but not Alzheimer's disease.

Treatment would involve using aspirin and controlling any risk factors.

Please get back if you require any additional information.



Best wishes,



Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology)

Senior Consultant Neurologist

Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad,

My personal URL on this website: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar

My email: drsudhirkumar@yahoo.com
I find this answer helpful
Radiologist Dr. Vamshi Kotha's  Response
Hi,

Microvascular leukoencephalopathy means damage to the brain tissue due to problems with small arteries supplying the brain. These may occur in elderly patients and people with hypertension, diabetes, etc are more prone to develop this early. Some syndromes may also be associated and a genetic link has also been proposed. Alzheimer's disease is a totally different entity. Microvascular leucoencephalopathy is also a cause of dementia when severe.

However, the description of the white matter signal abnormalities in your scan fits that of Fazekas Grade 1 changes which are of no significance or worry, especially at your age. Age related atrophy just refers to mild volume loss of your brain matter which is also usually normal at your age.

Overall, you probably do not have anything to worry about as far as your scan goes.

Sincerely,
Vamshi
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Diffusion mri


Loading Online Doctors....
Had MRI Done. Had Scattered Area Of High Signal Intensity In Deep White Matter. What Is Microvascular Leukoencephalopthy?

Hi, Thank you for posting your query. Your MRI brain findings are suggestive of ischemia (lack of blood flow to the brain). The common underlying risk factors for the same include high BP, sugar and cholesterol. There is a slightly higher risk of dementia, but not Alzheimer s disease. Treatment would involve using aspirin and controlling any risk factors. Please get back if you require any additional information. Best wishes, Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) Senior Consultant Neurologist Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, My personal URL on this website: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar My email: drsudhirkumar@yahoo.com