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What Does The Brain MRI Report Indicate?
Question: I recently had an MRI on my brain after a bad fall and the results were:
No acute intracranial abnormality.
Chronic microvascular ischemic change of subcortical and deep white matter. Mild frontal cortical atrophy.
These impressions don't sound good but my internist didn't even address them. What do these mean? I am a 63-year-old female.
No acute intracranial abnormality.
Chronic microvascular ischemic change of subcortical and deep white matter. Mild frontal cortical atrophy.
These impressions don't sound good but my internist didn't even address them. What do these mean? I am a 63-year-old female.
Brief Answer:
These MRI changes are minor.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I have noted your clinical details and noted the MRI abnormalities.
I would like to reassure that these are minor abnormalities and there is no need to worry.
The "microvascular ischemic change" means decreased blood supply to certain parts of brain. This is not related to the fall.
These findings are commonly seen. Common risk factors for these changes include high blood pressure, high sugars, and high cholesterol. If any of these are present, they should be treated.
Mild frontal cortical atrophy means slight reduction of brain size. This is normal at your age.
I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in
These MRI changes are minor.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I have noted your clinical details and noted the MRI abnormalities.
I would like to reassure that these are minor abnormalities and there is no need to worry.
The "microvascular ischemic change" means decreased blood supply to certain parts of brain. This is not related to the fall.
These findings are commonly seen. Common risk factors for these changes include high blood pressure, high sugars, and high cholesterol. If any of these are present, they should be treated.
Mild frontal cortical atrophy means slight reduction of brain size. This is normal at your age.
I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I forgot to add the "Findings" section:
Ventricles were unremarkable. There is mild dilation of the frontal suici. Hyperintense T2 and FLAIR signal in the periventricular white matter, subcortical white matter, and the centrum ovale is nonspecific, but commonly secondary to chronic microcvascular ischemic change. there is no restricted diffusion to suggest acute ischemic infarcts. No evidence of acute hematomas, focal mass effect, or midline shift is seen. There is no extra-axial collections. No evidence of enhancing lesions identified in the brain parenchyma or in the meninges. A rounded ill-defined hyperintense T2 signal measuring approximately 9 mm in manimum dimension of the posterior aspect of the posterior fossa with an indentation on the occipital bone likely represent a prominent arachnoid granulation, a developmental change. Vascular flow void is noted in the basilar artery, and the internal carotid arteries. There is a mild mucosal thickening in the ethmoid sinuses bilaterally. The mastoid air cells are clear. The orbital contents are unremarkable. Thanks.
Ventricles were unremarkable. There is mild dilation of the frontal suici. Hyperintense T2 and FLAIR signal in the periventricular white matter, subcortical white matter, and the centrum ovale is nonspecific, but commonly secondary to chronic microcvascular ischemic change. there is no restricted diffusion to suggest acute ischemic infarcts. No evidence of acute hematomas, focal mass effect, or midline shift is seen. There is no extra-axial collections. No evidence of enhancing lesions identified in the brain parenchyma or in the meninges. A rounded ill-defined hyperintense T2 signal measuring approximately 9 mm in manimum dimension of the posterior aspect of the posterior fossa with an indentation on the occipital bone likely represent a prominent arachnoid granulation, a developmental change. Vascular flow void is noted in the basilar artery, and the internal carotid arteries. There is a mild mucosal thickening in the ethmoid sinuses bilaterally. The mastoid air cells are clear. The orbital contents are unremarkable. Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Noted the details of MRI.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
I have noted the detailed findings of the MRI.
My suggestions and impressions are as above. Please get back if you have any follow up questions.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Noted the details of MRI.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
I have noted the detailed findings of the MRI.
My suggestions and impressions are as above. Please get back if you have any follow up questions.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Were you able to read my findings section? The "microvascular ischemic change" means decreased blood supply to certain parts of brain - does this mean a small stroke? Thanks. XXXX
Brief Answer:
This does not mean a stroke
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
Yes, I read the findings section.
The microvascular ischemic change does not mean stroke.
These are incidental findings detected when MRI is done for unrelated causes, such as a fall (as in your case), headaches, etc.
However, if there are risk factors such as high BP, sugar or cholesterol, along with these MRI findings, then, there is a slightly higher risk of strokes. If there are no risk factors, then, the stroke risk is not increased.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
This does not mean a stroke
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
Yes, I read the findings section.
The microvascular ischemic change does not mean stroke.
These are incidental findings detected when MRI is done for unrelated causes, such as a fall (as in your case), headaches, etc.
However, if there are risk factors such as high BP, sugar or cholesterol, along with these MRI findings, then, there is a slightly higher risk of strokes. If there are no risk factors, then, the stroke risk is not increased.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Just one more question. Is there anything I could do to increase the blood flow or is typical for my age? I have low BP, low triglycerides and my cholesterol is pretty good.
Brief Answer:
Nothing specific
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
As you have no risk factors for reduced blood flow to the brain, no specific measures are needed.
You should do regular physical activity and have a low fat diet.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Nothing specific
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
As you have no risk factors for reduced blood flow to the brain, no specific measures are needed.
You should do regular physical activity and have a low fat diet.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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