foci white matter on ceredral hemispher

[Rockstar24]

my mom has NF1 i as well have NF1 my mom was told a little over a year ago that she had 2 anurizum's on her brain above the ear well they grew alot and now she has to have surgery they told her that she has the foci white matter on the ceredral hemispher what is that and how bad is it she told me that she did not know what that ment. I live about 12hrs away from her and I am worried about her if you could please help me better understand what that is i'd greatly appreciate it thanks  they also told my mom whom is only 44 that she has a 50/50 chance on the surgery table
  

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

Focal white matter lesions are really non-specific findings that are usually reported on MRI's.  A significant portion of normal individuals would have these focal white matter lesions and are not clinically significant and does not manifest.  In your mother's situation, the aneurysms should be monitored and treated (surgically) if the surgeon deems it necessary.  If there are several foci of white matter lesions, this may be a sign of demyelinating conditions such as multiple sclerosis. This may be accompanied by other symptoms such as weakness, parasthesias and other neurologic symptoms.   I hope that her surgery will be uneventful and pray that everything will turn out fine.

Regards and God bless.