white matter disease on MRI of brain ?MS vs dementia

Approx 1 & 1/2 years ago I had a sudden onset of severe bladder dysfunction, different than your normal cystitis, UTI, etc, severe urge incont, near retention, constant urge, start, stop, lasted x 3-4 days, was dx by urologist as IC.  (I have a thoracic syrinx going to T12, cervical disk dz, disk in L-spine).  Went to neuro, told him I was having HA's, (I am a nurse there and could not reveal all my symptoms for fear of my job), MRI of head was done. in 2003, showed scattered non-specific deep cerebral white matter of T2 hyperintensities, no enhancing lestions, would consider foci of ischemic gliosis, migraine syndrome, demyelinating dz, vasculitis, lupus, Lyme dz, clinical correlation is needed".  Repeat MRI done 6 mos later  "Theer ar no new white matter lesions but the lesion in the posterior inferior let parietal lobe posterior and superior to the atrium of the left lateral ventricle is more obvious than it was on the previous exam on FLAIR sequence and T2 sequence.  Multi-focal white matter lesions as previously described.  Etiology most likely representing foci of ischemic demyelination & gliosis due to sm vessel dz, the lesions would be atypical for demyelinating plaques of MS, but vasculopathies of varying etilogies could be responsible other than HTN or atherosclerotic vascular dz, the brain, meninges, and cranial nerves as well as the cranium and base of the cranium are normal".  Symptoms,  unable to "find correct words, paresthesias in malar regions of face, eyes twitching, bladder dys. problems concentrating, making decisions, restless.?

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW]

The wihte matter intensities you describe are very common in the normal population especially over the age of 50

I do not know how old you are, they are likely to be more abnormal if you are, for instance, in your 20s

they are usually due to hardening of the arteries and are asymptomatic, I cannot comment on your case specifically without seeing the scans. The radiologists routinely give a differential list as well as the most likely diagnosis which must be interpreted by your physician

I would recommend seeing a neurologist outside your workplace - you should be able to talk freely with them, for your own benefit.

[alice445]

A related discussion, brain mri was started.

[squawko513]

A related discussion, Brain was started.

[dusty4613]

A related discussion, White matter brain disease was started.