Hi everyone, I was wondering if someone can help dicipher my MRI report! I have read Karens’ sticky, but I still have no idea! The bits I’m wondering about are as follows- ‘There is a small focus of altered signal within subcortical white matter of the right frontal lobe but this has rather non specific appearance. The FLAIR images suggest a small area of altered signal on the left within the pons although this is difficult to recognize on the other sequences. This is difficult to characterise but would be abnormal in a patient of this age.’ It goes on to suggest a cervical spine MRI or lumbar puncture should be considered to ‘throw the net a little wider.’ I have been given an appointment for cervical MRI. After requesting a copy of my report, my neuro called me to ask if I had any specific worries, and to write down any symptoms I have between now and my follow up appointment. She had initially discharged me, so I’m very grateful for that! Can anyone translate this report for me!? Many thanks! Kay xxx
Hi Kay, I reckon that you need karen to come along. It sounds that there are non specific type lesions. Which many people without ms have. You get more as you get older but as the report says maybe you have slightly more than expected for your age. They certainly think that a dx cannot be made on the basis of the brain MRI alone which is why they suggest a cervical MRI and LP as well. Sometimes a brain scan is not enough for a dx so they look for more pieces of the puzzle to fit in place. If you look up the McDonald criteria you can see the criteria they require for a dx.
Regards
Moyna x
'There is a small focus of altered signal" means there is a small white spot on the image. White spots are generally lesions, an area of damage. They can have many causes, but the size, shape and location can narrow down the possibilities.
“within subcortical white matter of the right frontal lobe” means that this lesion is just under the outer layers (gray matter) of the front, right part of your brain. The frontal lobe is a big area so without more info I can’t really tell you anything about what a lesion there might do.
“but this has rather non specific appearance.” Some conditions don’t have lesions with a particular size, shape and location. These lesions are called “non specific” as in not specific to any particular condition. The sort of things that can cause non specific lesions include migraine and MS.
“The FLAIR images suggest a small area of altered signal”. FLAIR is a type of scan that shows up lesions particularly well. So it seems you have another small lesion, but it’s not terribly clear because the radiologist has put “suggest”.
“on the left within the pons”. The pons is the middle section of the brain stem, the bit that joins the brain and the spinal cord. It has a lot of important functions. See here for more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pons
“although this is difficult to recognize on the other sequences” means that this possible lesion isn’t clear in the other scans. Given that FLAIR is generally better than the other standard scan types at detecting lesions in the brain, this isn’t unexpected, but it makes it difficult to be sure that it is there and exactly what is causing it. That’s what “This is difficult to characterise but would be abnormal in a patient of this age.” The best test of whether or not it’s there would be your symptoms: if you have symptoms that are consistent with a lesion on the pons, then it’s a pretty safe bet that it’s there! There is little or no spare capacity in the pons - a lesion there is not going to be “clinically silent”, ie cause no observable symptoms.
So, in summary, you have a small lesion in the front of your brain and another possible small lesion in your brain stem. It seems eminently sensible to at least scan your neck (“cervical spine MRI”) and to do an LP, especially if the cervical MRI doesn’t add to the info.
Before you see the neuro, think back about any weird things that might have happened to you in the past too, not just your symptoms between now and the appointment. She won’t be terribly interested in things like having your tonsils out, but any info about possibly neurological-type symptoms may be helpful, if you’ve had any of course.
Hth.
Karen x
Thanks Guys for your replies. So, one, possibly two lesions, one recorded ‘attack’ and thinking back, possibly one in 2007, ongoing symptoms definitely related to the pons. I hope my next MRI leads to some answers-I’m fed up of being thought of as becoming unsociable, unfit and lazy! I’ll keep you posted when I know more! Thanks again! Kay xxx
Did you ever get any answers? I hope so! I’m in limbo at the moment with the same issue.x the scan picked up non specific lesions 
don’t know what to do or think.
Hope you’re well. Tanya
Tanya, you’re asking a question on a post from four years ago. It’s very likely that person doesn’t precipitate on the forum now. You’re clutching at straws trawling through posts looking for answers. I totally understand that and it must be very frustrating. However youll need to get back in contact with your gp or consultants and press for further investigation or answers. Ultimately they are the only people who will be able to help, not strangers on a forum.
Be assertive and pick up the phone today. Tell your gp how worried/unhappy you are and want to have a more conclusive outcome. Best wishes. 