MRI lesions

[Andjelija33]

I'm currently going through the following:

Vertigo, dizziness, tinnitus in both ears, extreme pain in the back of the head with swelling behind the ear.

Everything started over a year ago with the tinnitus. It was low but it didn't bother me till it became more frequent. Dr saw fluid and said it was allergies and prescribed Claritin. One day I had a very bad dizzy spell with pain in the back of my head while at the store. It took about 10-15 to get it claim enough so I can make it home. Since it was hot that day, I thought it was from that. When ever I go outside when it's hot, I get the pain back there.

Months later the tinnitus got worst. It got louder, going to ear to ear, sounding like someone was beating on my ear drum. Referred to ent and hearing test was normal and ct scan was normal.

Now I'm seeing a neuro and I just had a MRI done and it says the following:

FINDINGS:   Diffusion imaging is unremarkable without evidence
for acute infarct. There is no evidence of hemorrhage.  A few
scattered small foci of increased T2 and FLAIR signal within in
deep white matter is nonspecific. There is no space occupying or
enhancing mass lesion.
The ventricles and sulci are unremarkable.  There is no
extraaxial collection. The basal cisterns are patent.

FINDINGS The carotid bifurcations in the neck are normal. There
is no carotid stenosis or evidence of dissection. The cervical
vertebral arteries are normal appearing. The thoracic aorta and
origins of the great vessels are not imaged.  The intracranial
carotid arteries and their main branches are  unremarkable. There
is no vascular occlusion. The vertebrobasilar circulation in the
posterior fossa is  unremarkable.  Right posterior communicating
artery is identified.  The anterior communicating artery complex
is unremarkable.

Impression:
No evidence of vertebrobasilar insufficiency.  No posterior
fossa infarcts.  Few, scattered T2/hyperintense foci within the
subcortical white matter can be seen in migraines in this age
group.
Normal MRA of the neck and brain.

Ok so I understand I have lesions in the subcortical white matter but shouldn't it say a particular area also??

Thanks in Advance

[Andjelija33]

My appt is next month but I was just trying to see if I could understand at least some of it before then so I won't be in shock about it if it is something. He did mention a spinal tap so I might have that next.

[essdipity]

This seems to be an MRA, not an MRI. It focuses on the blood vessels, and that's why the reference is to carotids, etc.

I imagine that it still would show any significant white matter lesions, but this is something you should ask your neuro about.

ess

[karryon55]

Hi there,

I am thinking the Radiologist has suggested Migraine because it is a common cause for small lesions in that area of the brain. However your Neuro will follow up with you to discuss your results so definitely have any questions you may have at the ready.

When I read your symptoms I actually was thinking Migraine as a possible cause as I suffer from Migraines myself & I am therefor aware that they can cause even pressure behind the ear as well as all the other symptoms. I hope you find your answers soon.

Karry.

[Andjelija33]

Thanks for the response. I guess I should have said "Shouldn't it say which lobe it's located?" And I have no idea why they mention migraine when that's not the reason for the MRI.

[immisceo]

Subcortical is the area. It means below the cerebral cortex. This is a fairly general term, though. The findings on your MRI (based on what's written there) are normal.