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What Does The Following Brain MRI Report Indicate?
Question: Hi < I am a 47 year old black female who has had an abnormal brain mri that shows white matters changes in my brain and have benign intracranial pressure in the brain they have done a lumbar puncture for Ms an my opening pressure was 34. therefore my neurology has started me on Acetazolamide 250mg 4x a day for a possible Seymour brain tumor I,m going to UAB calahan Eye hospital clinic and the doctor said she still can't detect it I Also am experiencincing weakness in my lower legs and have dysenthesia and chronic neurothapy What is wrong do I have a Brain tumor?
Brief Answer:
No brain tumor.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
I must say first that you must have got something wrong as there is no such thing as "Seymour brain tumor". Could it be perhaps that it is pseudotumor cerebri?
If that is the case I can assure you it's not a tumor. The term "pseudotumor" is used because the intracranial pressure is increased by tumors and so "pseudo", meaning not genuine, indicates it raises the pressure like a tumor but is not one. So the term tumor is a little misleading here, especially to the patient who is scared and is inclined to think the worst whenever the word tumor is mentioned.
Since your MRI doesn't show a brain tumor you can rest assured on that regard.
A pressure of 34 is significant. Some more info on your clinical history and tests might be useful, but if no other abnormalities were found on cerebrospinal fluid (assuming the lumbar puncture found no other change which could indicate MS, inflammation, infection) or on MRI (it is important that venous system is considered on MRI as well) a diagnosis of pseudotumor cerebri (idiopathic intracranial hypertension - IIH) is well possible. What your eye doctor meant is that he can can't see signs of the raised pressure in the eye, that is rare in this condition but it is possible.
So for the moment I suggest you continue your current therapy, but follow-up with the neurologist is needed. If Acetazolamide is not enough the dose can be increased. Also a repeat MRI might be scheduled later to evaluate whether there are any new changes.
As for the neuropathy that could manifest with dysesthesia and weakness, treatment for that varies according to the cause of the neuropathy (diabetes, alcohol, vitamin B12 or some other nutritional deficiency, connective tissue disease etc).
I hope to have been of help.
No brain tumor.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
I must say first that you must have got something wrong as there is no such thing as "Seymour brain tumor". Could it be perhaps that it is pseudotumor cerebri?
If that is the case I can assure you it's not a tumor. The term "pseudotumor" is used because the intracranial pressure is increased by tumors and so "pseudo", meaning not genuine, indicates it raises the pressure like a tumor but is not one. So the term tumor is a little misleading here, especially to the patient who is scared and is inclined to think the worst whenever the word tumor is mentioned.
Since your MRI doesn't show a brain tumor you can rest assured on that regard.
A pressure of 34 is significant. Some more info on your clinical history and tests might be useful, but if no other abnormalities were found on cerebrospinal fluid (assuming the lumbar puncture found no other change which could indicate MS, inflammation, infection) or on MRI (it is important that venous system is considered on MRI as well) a diagnosis of pseudotumor cerebri (idiopathic intracranial hypertension - IIH) is well possible. What your eye doctor meant is that he can can't see signs of the raised pressure in the eye, that is rare in this condition but it is possible.
So for the moment I suggest you continue your current therapy, but follow-up with the neurologist is needed. If Acetazolamide is not enough the dose can be increased. Also a repeat MRI might be scheduled later to evaluate whether there are any new changes.
As for the neuropathy that could manifest with dysesthesia and weakness, treatment for that varies according to the cause of the neuropathy (diabetes, alcohol, vitamin B12 or some other nutritional deficiency, connective tissue disease etc).
I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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