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What Does Old Left Occipital Lobe Infarct With Encephalomalacia Mean?
Hi I am reading my 90 year old Mother s recent scan results. It reads, Technique - Axial unenhanced CT scan of the brain was performed with coronal and sagittal reconstructions. Comparison is made to prior 7 8 2014. Findings - There is a focal area of encephalomalcia seen within the left occipital lobe. No intracranial hemorrhage or extra-axial fluid are seen. There is no mass effect or midline shift. There are patchy hypodensities within the periventricular and deep white atter compatible with chronic small vessel ischemic changes. Impression: No acute intracranial abnormality. Chronic small vessel ischemic changes. old left occipital lobe infarct with enchephalomalacia. My question is this a TIA or Alzhemiers?
Mon, 9 May 2016
HI, thanks for using healthcare
It is neither of the diagnosis you mentioned- TIA or alzhemiers.
Alzhemiers is not typically diagnosed based on imaging results but there would be associated changes in mental function- decreased ability to think, reason and remember.
Imaging is done mainly to rule out other causes of any behavior changes seen.
TIA stands for transient ischemic attack, it is in essence a mini stroke where the stroke symptoms last less than 24 hours.
There is evidence of a previous stroke (occipital lobe infarct) with softening of the brain tissues (encephalomalacia)
According the scan there are areas of decreased blood supply (ischemia) involving some of the small vessels in the brain. It is thought that these changes are chronic (occurring over a long period of time)
I hope this helps
It is neither of the diagnosis you mentioned- TIA or alzhemiers.
Alzhemiers is not typically diagnosed based on imaging results but there would be associated changes in mental function- decreased ability to think, reason and remember.
Imaging is done mainly to rule out other causes of any behavior changes seen.
TIA stands for transient ischemic attack, it is in essence a mini stroke where the stroke symptoms last less than 24 hours.
There is evidence of a previous stroke (occipital lobe infarct) with softening of the brain tissues (encephalomalacia)
According the scan there are areas of decreased blood supply (ischemia) involving some of the small vessels in the brain. It is thought that these changes are chronic (occurring over a long period of time)
I hope this helps
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