Brain Scarring - Cause for Concern?

[pearjas]

Hi everyone,
I'm worrying myself sick over this, and I posted previously but in a different forum, and I think this forum would be better suited for such a question. I see a lot of people getting very helpful I was attacked in a parking lot from behind about 5 hours ago, and sustained a concussion from the incident. I have no lasting effects to my knowledge from the incident, other than obvious sensitivity to that area of my head in which it occurred. Sometimes the scar appears a bit sore as well.

An MRI done in April of this year (it was just a routine follow up) showed brain scarring. My neurologist asked me if I ever had any major head injuries, and I explained to him what happened. He said it must have been one major blow to show up on an MRI, and he said there might have also been bleeding on the brain when it occurred. Everything is apparently fine now, and he stated it apparently happened to a part of the brain that doesn't involve talking, memory, etc.

My question is this: am I going to be more prone to health issues, such Alzheimer's or something of that sort because of this? My dad is suffering from that right now, at an early age (67), but he's had numerous other health issues, including stroke, heart attack, etc. I'm still healthy at my age, but worry about this causing problems in the future more than anything else. Otherwise, I guess you could say I'm lucky in that it wasn't even worse.  Should I be concerned?

[fourlovelythings]

This is contradictory to what my daughter's pediatric neurologist just told us, regarding her "scarring" that was seen in a recent MRI.

[SamPCS]

The correct medical term is encephalomalacia.  Doctors told me scar tissue just for the sake of simplicity.  You can get your MRI report and take a look at what exactly it is.  

I suspect, like your Neurologist it is most likely due to TBI.  If there is anything else then there are other tests which is not pleasant (Spinal Tap) only if you are too worried.  You can consult with your doctor.

[AlexaBU]

Do you know if seizures or a stroke could happen years after the injury? I have a large area of my brain that has scar tissue on it (or is dead/inactive) from a TBI 5 years ago. Frequent head aces are the only reoccurring symptom but I'm worried I'll have a random stoke or seizure if I don't go for regular check ups to find that it's getting worse. I have had muscle weakness on part of my body and a few times smelled toast for no reason driving down the freeway I don't know if this is something I should be worried about or not. Also anything that does go wrong with my body I immediately think its from the dead brain but it turns out not to be so I think I'd be happier just knowing that everything's ok with my head.  

[Louiethelip]

I have brain scarring that just magically appeared. My neurologist says it just happens to some people sometimes. I have never had a traumatic brain injury and no history of seizures. I was given overdoses of my medications by my psychiatrist and that made me have a seizure. Could this overdose have caused the brain scarring that is now causing the epilepsy I now have?

[myboyzmylife]

Ok, here's my story!! so a year and a half ago my husband comes home from a hitch in Iraq (not military) and two days later I find him unconscious in the truck he had been out there for two hrs called ambulance while they were still on there way he quite breathing cop and first responders start CPR ambulance gets there take him to local clinic they revive him get him conscious and flight for life him to nearest hospital 110 mi. away!! there they decide he had multiple seizures that shocked his body run a bunch of test, claim their is scar tissue build up in the brain that occurred from an injury that had happened 2 weeks to 14 mo prior to first seizures. but they think they can tell all this from an eeg, nothing showed on mri. since then he has multiple seizures started out only at night now in day more frequent been on meds since the first go and they up his dose each time he has one. other things have come to notice though however, persistent vomiting, crazy sleep (overly tired and sleeps a lot, yet cant fall asleep or stay asleep at times0) and even a some personality change now and frequent headache, sometims a droopy eye and after one seizure he had stroke symptoms arm drew up arm, left side of face droopy and slurred speech. we have had to argue and fight for a new mri which they finally scheduled 3 mo. out could these be symptoms of something else whats the odds that scar tissue build up not big enough to be seen on mri could cause so much trouble. is it the meds not sure what we should do been a long struggle for us at a young age and raising 2 children (6yrs, 7Mo) my husband 27!! any input helps.. thanks

[Louiethelip]

I have brain scarring that just 'magically' appeared. My neurologist says it 'just happens to some people sometimes'. I have never had a traumatic brain injury and no history of seizures. I was given overdoses of my medications by my psychiatrist and that made me have a seizure. Could this overdose have caused the brain scarring that is now causing the epilepsy I now have?

[pearjas]

What post are you referring to?

[prettyitalian1010]

Today, Saturday- I had a seizure with loss of control or movement of my left leg.  I couldn't walk or get up to walk.  It lasted for about a few  minutes.  I drove myself to the ER.    Had a CT scan of head  -blood test--cardiogram-chest xray.  

They found a scar on my brain which causes seizures.  They wanted to admit me & not drive but I did  drive  anyway & got myself home-  I refused to stay there because of my family.  they need me.

They wanted to admit me but I refused  because of my dad & brother being home-.-- I need to take him back tomorrow nite.   I am on seizure meds.  zepra

-they want me to get an MRI. of the brain Monday to see exactly where the scar is & what it is pressing on.

Never a dull moment--not sure what will happen either & I  AM VERY SCARED. * &   may need surgery.  i hope not & never  remember banging my head except on the refrigerator door

I will not get the surgery  I will take the meds

[pearjas]

Which doctor would I even speak with?  My neurologist doesn't really seem too concerned to elaborate on it.  Plus it's $50 every time I see him (terrible insurance).  

I guess I'm mainly worried about this making me more prone to something in the future - mostly dementia.  I've read some information that seems to point that it could, but I know it's going to be hard to say yes or no..

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Actually there is no scarring in the brain as there is no collagen in brain. There can be ischemic changes, necrosis, or softening of brain. Traumatic brain injury is one such reason. Maybe what is seen are amyloid plaques seen in Alzheimer’s disease. With time the brain shrinks. If you are talking about white spots then white spots on MRI are seen in MS, microvascular disease (arteriosclerosis as you mention), some types of headaches, Alzhiemer’s disease, old age and even due to TBI. It is difficult to differentiate the white spots due to one disease from the white spots due to another. Patient history and other parameters are taken into consideration and co related with the MRI picture. So consult your neurologist about how regularly you should come for a follow up as you have some changes in the brain but now you are fit. Take care!

[Littlelaci1]

You are incorrect, according to my neurologist . I have a brain scar in my left frontal lobe.  Care to make a wager? Lol

[SamPCS]

I had bleeding on my brain (brain contusion) after a fall and have scar tissue like you.  Unfortunately I suffer with lot of symptoms (housebound mostly because of that) and they call it as Persistent Post Concussion Syndrome and nothing much can be done.

Consider yourself very lucky if you don't have any symptoms and don't worry about what can/will happen.  No one can predict and enjoy your life.