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What Does My MRI Scan Report Indicate?

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Posted on Wed, 12 Apr 2017
Question: I have had an MRI w/contrast and w/o and the findings show mild to moderate global parenchymal volume loss which has me concerned as I have a family history of alzheimers.
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Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Such volume loss is compatible with your age, is normal.

Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.

Findings of volume loss are common on MRIs. Their significance depends on their degree and the age of the patients.

All of us lose some brain volume every year after our thirties. None of us is excluded. As the years go by that volume loss adds up and starts to become visible on imaging. So it is in a way part of aging.

For that reason if your age is 77 as you have stated, then some mild to moderate volume loss is perfectly normal, almost all individuals after the age of 65 have some at least mild volume loss. I would say that degree of volume loss is compatible with your age and is not indicative of Alzheimer's or any other type of dementia. Perhaps that is the reason the first MRI report didn't mention it, because they didn't think it signified anything.

I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Olsi Taka

Neurologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 3673 Questions

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What Does My MRI Scan Report Indicate?

Brief Answer: Such volume loss is compatible with your age, is normal. Detailed Answer: I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. Findings of volume loss are common on MRIs. Their significance depends on their degree and the age of the patients. All of us lose some brain volume every year after our thirties. None of us is excluded. As the years go by that volume loss adds up and starts to become visible on imaging. So it is in a way part of aging. For that reason if your age is 77 as you have stated, then some mild to moderate volume loss is perfectly normal, almost all individuals after the age of 65 have some at least mild volume loss. I would say that degree of volume loss is compatible with your age and is not indicative of Alzheimer's or any other type of dementia. Perhaps that is the reason the first MRI report didn't mention it, because they didn't think it signified anything. I remain at your disposal for other questions.