My GP ordered an MRI, the results are in and I have been referred to Neurology but my appointment is not until late October. In the meantime, I am worrying about what the following findings mean. Any help is greatly appreciated!.
TECHNIQUE: MRI of the brain on a 3 T Siemens Verio MRI unit: Multiple T1, T2, diffusion, and SWI MR sequences were performed. COMPARISON: None available.
FINDINGS: A few foci of white matter T2-prolongation, particularly with flame- shaped foci within the left external capsule, abutting the left atrium, and right frontal horn. An additional FLAIR hypointensity/cavity with peripheral T2-prolongation is noted within the right frontal lobe. There are no definite pericallosal lesions noted. Multiple normal-variant dilated perivascular spaces are noted.
No acute midline shift, extra-axial fluid collection, hydrocephalus, or infarct. Parenchymal volume is age-appropriate. Appropriate flow voids at the skull base and in the major venous sinuses. Mild mucosal thickening in the visible portions of the maxillary sinuses, and additional worse disease within the ethmoid air-cells. Mastoid air cells are clear.
Impression: 1. Multiple foci of periventricular white-matter T2-prolongation, some of which are flame-shaped, without definite pericallosal lesions, raises suspicion for a possible demyelinating process (for instance, multiple sclerosis, given the patient’s reported symptoms). The small FLAIR hypointensity/cavity within the right frontal lobe may represent an additional plaque, or an atypical appearance of a dilated vascular space. Recommend Neurology consultation. 2. No acute/subacute infarcts.
Most of what you’ve put in your post is utterly meaningless to me, and probably to most people.
However, the first thing that jumped out at me is you’ve been scanned by the Rolls Royce of scanners, the 3Tesla machines are the best, newest, machines and for most scans give the sharpest images. So that’s a good thing.
Then there was a long bit of gobbledygook that I didn’t understand until you get near to the end where the report says possible demylinating process (for instance multiple sclerosis) … recommend neurology consultation.
It seems to me (with a very unscientific brain) that you have some lesions showing up on your MRI scan that seem to indicate some kind of demylinating disease and further than that, you’ll have to wait for your neurology appointment.
(I kind of think you already figured all of this out for yourself, but wanted to check it meant what you thought it did.)
Sounds like you need to see what your neurologist says. You could try phoning either his/her secretary or the appointments team and seeing if there’s anyway of bringing it forward.
Sorry I can’t demystify things any more for you.
Thanks for your input Sue. I am a veteran of the US Army and receive my healthcare through the Veterans Administration in San Diego California. It’s reassuring to learn I was scanned by the Rolls Royce of scanners.
I was taken by surprise when my GP ordered a brain MRI… I think I may have been misdiagnosed for the last few years. (I have a growing list of diagnosis with limited improvement despite a plethora of medications)
Now I have a recent diagnosis of “chorea” and was noted to have an irregular gait and a few other odd things that I haven’t been very attuned to. Unfortunately I experienced some sort of acute episode recently that resulted in loss of work. I’m kind of freaking out at this point!
