Changes in White Matter

[pinkowl513]

I recently had a brain MRI done because I was in an auto accident.  It was noted on the report that there are, "White matter hyperintensities at bilateral frontoparietal white matter - possible axonal injury vs. small vessel ischemic changes."

My Dr. said changes in white matter at my age, 28, isn't normal.  That is may be an indicator of MS.  I set up a follow up appt with a neurologist but can anyone expand on the info that was on my report.  

Thank you.

[WendyJW]

I also had a MV accident, I T-boned a car that turned right into my path, I have been diagnosed with Chronic Whiplash.  I also have symptoms that sounds like MS, but the MRI results came back with NOT MS, which is a relief... Hope all is going well for you

[pinkowl513]

I was in a pretty bad auto accident on 5/6/11.  I was rear ended at appox 65-70 miles per hour then hit another vehicle while flipped and landed on my car.  

My chiropractor said it could have been from my brain "bouncing" back and forth that caused the hyperintensities.  Is it possible it could be from a closed head injury from the accident?

[Dr Sharma]

Hi there. You need to consult a neurologist for the possibility of multiple sclerosis. MS is a chronic demyelinating disorder where the disease phase is characterized by active phase and remissions. It has multiple symptoms and signs and is a diagnosis of exclusion. The symptoms of multiple sclerosis are loss of balance, muscle spasms, numbness in any area, problems with walking and coordination, tremors in one or more arms and legs. Bowel and bladder symptoms include frequency of micturition, urine leakage, eye symptoms like double vision uncontrollable rapid eye movements, facial pain, painful muscle spasms, tingling, burning in arms or legs, depression, dizziness, hearing loss, fatigue etc. The treatment is essentially limited to symptomatic therapy so the course of action would not change much whether MS has been diagnosed or not. Apart from clinical neurological examination, MRI shows MS as paler areas of demyelination, two different episodes of demyelination separated by one month in at least two different brain locations. Spinal tap is done and CSF electrophoresis reveals oligoclonal bands suggestive of immune activity, which is suggestive but not diagnostic of MS. Demyelinating neurons, transmit nerve signals slower than non-demyelinated ones and can be detected with EP tests. These are visual evoked potentials, brain stem auditory evoked response, and somatosensory evoked potential. Slower nerve responses in any one of these is not confirmatory of MS but can be used to complement diagnosis along with a neurological examination, medical history and an MRI in addition, a spinal tap. You also need to be checked for small vessel ischemic disease, cerebral ischemia etc for these MRI lesions. Therefore, it would be prudent to consult your neurologist with these concerns. Hope this helps. Take care.