5mm in size - T2/FLAIR hyperintensity in periventricular white matter

[Dancedance405]

I may have the verbiage slightly off, but those words were used to describe the results of my MRI.  I realize noone on here can give me medical advice, but any commentary is appreciated as I'm freaked out!!  I'm 28 years old and I have chronic migraines, and have for the past 10 years.  Noone can figure out how to prevent them, I have no aura and only pain medications somewhat help.  I have had 2 head injuries, one car accident at 18 and a bike wreck at 22.  The pain has increased over the years.  I've recently started having spells of vertigo when I move my head quickly, and especially look over my right shoulder.  I've had weird episodes of what I thought were panic attacks, but I'm wondering now if they weren't something more severe.  Last year on a flight across the country, I lost feelings in my arms and hands and I to this day have numbness is my ring and pinky fingers on both hands.  Does any of this sound familiar to anyone??  I feel like I'm aging at an exponential rate and it's scary!

[Dancedance405]

Yes, I agree and I realize I should not be trying to interpret them lol.  I am an accountant not a doctor!  But I'm just worried is all.  It was the impressions section, they were highlighted/boxed after the findings.  It said something about being non-specific but could be an area of focus for demyelenation.  

The doctor who sent me in is a pain management doctor.  I stopped going to my  previous neurologist because he kept prescribing things that do not help and are costly!  His answer was 32 botox injections in my head but the pain management doc wanted to see scans (which I'm surprised the neuro did not!).  I am having a friends mom find me more reputable neurologists in the area, I know they are the ones in the end who interpret these results.  The pain management doctor was leaning more towards a nerve block being injected into the base of my neck...  

I'm just going to try and chill!  And be thankful over the next week for being alive (I said try :) .... )

[kwarendorf]

5mm is not as big as it may sound. It's less than .2 inches. THe average MS lesion is said to be around 7mm.

Reading radiology reports is a bit like trying to read Greek, unless your Greek. I have been trying to understand them for over 2 years and am still clueless. What you cited sounds like it came from the Findings section. More easily understood is what is found in the Impressions section, usually towards the end of the report. That's where you'll find the possible causes for what is listed in the Findings section. You'll rarely see a definitive diagnosis here. DX'ing is not the radiologists job. You will find what he/she thinks are likely causes.

Your best bet at this point is to wait the excruciating long weekend until your doc comes back to discuss the results with him/her. (Is your doc a neuro?)

Until then try and relax and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Kyle

[Dancedance405]

That's what the doctor was initially looking for when ordering the MRI and MRA... he thought maybe the corrotid artery was pinched from my accidents, thus restricting blood flow...  there were other findings in the report about discs in my neck, but this in particular stuck out to me.  The doctor that ordered it it out of town for the holidays (of course).  So I took it upon myself to get the results and just googled the phrase in the findings.  And proceeded to freak myself out.  It recommended I get post-contrast imaging to see if it is related to demyelenation (sp?).  I realize some people get these "spots" from migraines, but some MS symptoms cause migraines lol?  So I just don't know what to think. Additionally, I was alarmed that the size was 5mm. I'd consider that to be small in just about anything, except my brain!

[kwarendorf]

Hi DD -

As you are finding out, Dr. Google is not always your friend :-) There is too much information out there and a lot of it is nonsense.

Given your history of head injury and migraines, I think that may be a direction to head when trying to get to the bottom of your problems. The numbness may or not be caused by MS, it also may be nerve related but not MS. I wonder if, with your history the nerve issues are being caused by restricted blood flow (ischemia).

Have you discussed the MRI results with the doctor that order it?

Kyle

[PastorDan]

I think that is the best approach, focusing on the positives -- a.k.a. counting our blessings.  I've found that most of the things we worry about never happen.  We just imagine the worst, and then freak out trying to deal with that, when in fact, nothing resembling that is really likely.

[Dancedance405]

I know it's terrible! I need to quit reading stuff. But my aunt has MS and some of my symptoms are very similar. I know some migraine sufferers have these, but that's scary! There's nothing I can do to stop them so what will my brain look like when I'm 40? 50? Etc... I'm terrified of losing my mind :( Alzheimer's and dementia run in my family as well. Sigh... I'm going to focus on the good health I do have, or at least try. Thanks guys

[MommyofNatTyZach]

Waiting is the worst! Since you have had blows to the head and migraines maybe that is the cause... I hope you find out soon. If you can, try not to worry! I am a worry wart, but I think that ages me quicker than anything else :)

[Dancedance405]

I wanted to add that my doctor is out of town for 2 weeks, and it recommend that I get a post contrast MRI next.  I am trying to get insurance to set this up, but in the meantime I have noone to talk to about this.