Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
783212 tn?1295028006

Small vessel damage

My MRI states small vessel damage due to ishemic injury........what does this mean.  And what is the difference between small vessel disease or small vessel changes on an MRI?
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Hi,

Small vessel ischemic disease or small vessel disease or white matter disease occurs due to blockade of small vessels in the brain resulting in minute areas of brain damage.
This can occur in patients with long standing history of headaches, migraines, smoking, alcoholism, diabetes, high BP, brain infections, or stroke.
It is important to correlate these findings with your symptoms. Also there is evidence that patients with small vessel ischemic disease have increased risk of stroke.

Thanks
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Ischemic injury would be like a very tiny stroke, I think.  Very slight bleeding.  My first neuro issue was diagnosed for a while as a Temporary Ischemic Attack (TIA), and felt like (I'm told) a stroke.

As for your second question, I think there is no difference between small vessel disease and small vessel changes.  And I've been told by a number of doctors that small vessel damage in the brain is fairly common in MRIs, particularly in older people.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Neurology Community

Top Neurology Answerers
620923 tn?1452915648
Allentown, PA
5265383 tn?1669040108
ON
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
1780921 tn?1499301793
Queen Creek, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease