Brain MRI in Medial terms for dummies

Question

I don't understand all the terms being used or what this all means. Here is the test results of My MRI but haven't seen a doctor for them to explain it to me and youd think the doctor who ordered it would at least call me in to explain it. Cant get into a neurologist for more then 3 months , which doesn't help me squirrel wheel running and thinking the worse. Can someone explain these test results to me as Im a med dummie.
HISTORY: Bilateral leg numbness, signal change in cervical cord, evaluate
for demyelinating disease. 

TECHNIQUE: Sagittal and axial T1. Axial T2, FLAIR, gradient-echo and
diffusion weighted sequences obtained before contrast. Axial, coronal, and
sagittal T1 repeated after intravenous gadolinium contrast. Contrast: 13 mL
MULTIHANCE

COMPARISON: There are no similar comparison exams.

ENCOUNTER: Initial

HAND DOMINANCE: Unknown

FINDINGS: 
There is a moderate degree of bilateral symmetric T2 and FLAIR signal
hyperintensity in each cerebral hemisphere. This is seen around the
periventricular regions and extending up into the corona radiata white
matter. There is some involvement of the right posterior-lateral corpus
callosum. There is a similar single small focus of signal abnormality in the
right posterior pons, near the junction with the midbrain, but no other
involvement of the posterior fossa is seen. No lesion with mass effect,
abnormal enhancement or restriction of diffusion signal. However, a few small
periventricular foci of moderate T1 signal hypointensity are also present,
fairly well-circumscribed. The appearance is suggestive of chronic "black
hole" plaque of multiple sclerosis.

No hemorrhage, infarct, mass or brain edema. Meninges are within normal
limits, there are normal flow voids in the large arteries and dural venous
sinuses. Orbital and skull base soft tissues look normal. Incidentally, there
is moderate opacification of the mastoid air cells on the right side but
there is no obstructing lesion seen in the region of the nasopharynx. There
is also no inflammation seen in the soft tissues around the right mastoid
bone. The mastoid air cells moderately enhance.

Impression
IMPRESSION:
1. Moderate degree of periventricular and deep bilateral cerebral white
matter demyelination, without enhancement or significant atrophy. The pattern
is most consistent with multiple sclerosis.
2. There is one small focus in the right brainstem as well, and another
within the corpus callosum.

ishtianay · Answer

I had mri and it said several small nonspecific foci of abnormal T2 sigkinal changes in the deep white matter. This was w/o contrast.I think deep white matter is around the cerebellum and brainstem correct? Could you tell me what this means? I have multiple tumors on my spine to. Linda

ishtianay · Answer

I had mri and it said several small nonspecific foci of abnormal T2 signal changes in the deep white matter. This was w/o contrast.I think deep white matter is around the cerebellum and brainstem correct? Could you tell me what this means? I have multiple tumors on my spine to. Linda

seawherry · Answer

thank you , any help is helpful, i have a wonderful family doctor. But i feel for them, as one day every time i stood  my legs would stiffing up and spasm and then collapse. constant ache and pain . i want to get up and do things and some days no matter if i sleep well im so fatigue. is there anything i can do to help this without the correct meds , my doctor has me on Norco and Valiums

seawherry · Answer

Thank you for all your help , thank you to everyone , since it is going to be a while before i see a MS doctor but have been already give a wheel chair and cane is there anything i can do to help me when i stand , i don't know why ut when i stand my legs  tighten up spasm and get real stiff like im waling like Frankenstein . not every day is the same some i have 2 good days in the last 2 weeks where im stiff but didn't need a cane , some other days hard to walk. doesn't matter what i do , i can me laying in bed and my legs just start jumping and stiffing up anything i can do to help this? anything i can do to help the ache feeling in my legs, my hands are numb as well feet are always cold but not on the outside to touch them, they are warm but feel like inside im soaking them in an ice bath any suggestions

seawherry · Answer

Alex completely understand , I am a very hyper positive person walked my dogs 8 miles a day , always running around fishing , hiking  walking  very ADHD  love the out doors and always busy , not much of a sitter and my squirrel funny since of humor makes me and im scred that person wont exist as i love who i am but now its hard to stand or make it to the bathroom. so i understand your fear. thank you

seawherry · Answer

thank you for all your advise , and yes i am not so concern on what my diagnoses is as that is life and im a tough squirrel. its not knowing the doctor who did my spinal neck fusion ordered my brain MRI  as i went to the doctor for not neck pain but tingling in feet and legs , hard walking and loss of continence of urinary and bowls.  i have called this doctor 5 times , and you would think he would ll me in to go over the MRI. but nothing I had to find my results myself on the hospital log in  my charts which is sad. thank you for your help.

HVAC · Answer

Do you have a neurologist? I hope it is a MS Specialist. I had to get a MS Specialist to finally be diagnosed.

Remember people have very different experiences with MS. I have had it since I was 2 years old. No one would know I have MS. I sometimes use arm crutches but I mostly go unaided. I have eye sight issues and falls. I ride horses and walk dogs. 

I was so scared of MS. I did not know much about it. I contacted the NMSS and got some information which help me understand MS. Fear was the hardest part for me. All of the unknowns.

Alex

rendean · Answer

Hi, 
Although we are NOT doctors or MS professionals, simply MS patients, I have to gree with JJ. I'm sorry to say.

The definitive lesion that finally got my MS diagnosis when everything else was negative was a lesion in corpus callosum. "Only tumors and MS affect this area"is what I was told.

Please do not panic! Crying is definitely allowed but your life is no different today thatn it was last week. The difference is you have a probable diagnosis but now you have a game plan and way to fight this disease.

Please feel free to ask any and all questions you may have and if your doc does indeed give you this diagnosis, insist on treatment ASAP. If you are not given a diagnosis, I suggest a second opinion.

Hang in there!!
Hugs!!!!

Ren

supermum_ms · Answer

Hi and welcome to our little MS community,

I really really hate to be the one telling you this..........from my understanding of your brain MRI, your brain MRI is unfortunately indication MS is the 'more likely' explanation for what your brain MRI is showing up and MS would probably also explains the signal change in cervical cord. 

You are in the process of being evaluate for demyelinating diseases and this part "a few small periventricular foci of moderate T1 signal hypointensity are also present, fairly well-circumscribed. The appearance is suggestive of chronic "black hole" plaque of multiple sclerosis." of your MRI is suggesting that MS would be at the top of your list of potential causation. 

The radiologist in his/her summary is specifically suggesting MS would be consistent with this MRI evidence  "IMPRESSION: 
1. Moderate degree of periventricular and deep bilateral cerebral white 
matter demyelination, without enhancement or significant atrophy. The pattern is most consistent with multiple sclerosis. 
2. There is one small focus in the right brainstem as well, and another 
within the corpus callosum."

I'm so sorry but i really do think you are more than likely going to be diagnosed with MS when you finally get to see the neurologist, it might help get you seeing someone sooner, if you call the clinic who ordered the MRI and tell them to get you the earliest  appointment with a neurologist who specifically specialises in MS because your MRI is stating its consistent with MS...

HUGS..........JJ