What does this 'really' mean???

[di1623]

MRI results: "Stable nonspecific T2/FLAIR signal hyperintensities within the subcortical frontal and pariental white matter, greater than expected for patient's age.  These finding again may be the sequela of vasculitis, migraine headaches or an atypical infection such as Lyme disease"
Patient information:  Age - 31, does not get headaches, never been bit by a tick.
Thoughts: ???

[Ricobord]

It doesn't mention MS so perhaps your lesions aren't consistent with most MS lesions. We're any enhanced with contrast? (I don't believe there are absolutes with these small brain lesions.)  It is certainly worth asking your doctor about further testing.

Since the radiologist mentioned it, did you get tested for Lyme Disease? I didn't think I had ever been bit by a tick either, and I never had a bulls eye rash. But it turns out that a long term case of Lyme Disease along with the neuro infection Bartonella was responsible for most, if not all of my 20 or so brain lesions. (I had only 2 migraines in the previous 15 years.) Testing false negative twice certainly didn't help me in my search for a diagnosis.

I have since learned that larval and nymph ticks are tiny and easily missed. They can be attached for a day or less, and they can hide in folds or wrinkles, hard to see places, the scalp, behind the ear. When found, they are easily mistaken for a little scab, a new mole, a skin tag, or other mysterious skin bump that just goes away. And plenty of people don't get a rash or sore knees.

You are also welcome on the Lyme page as you continue your search for a diagnosis.  I hope you find one soon!

[di1623]

Oh, in addition my blood pressure has never been high (in fact, it has always been low), and I do not get migraines.

[di1623]

It's kind of a long story...but here is the short of it.  I was having stroke like symptoms and almost blacked out at work two years.  Work sent me to the hospital where they did an MRI.  They found the matter then, and made me come back to re-scan several months later to see if it was MS.  Shortly after, I grew a bone growth on my head (which I let go for awhile).  I had several scans on it about a year ago, and this was a follow up scan to see if it grew bigger.  In the report they state there is no change on the growth (skull), but found change in the 'patchy subcortical T2/FLAIR hyperintensities...."   (ending impression written in original post)

[Lulu54]

Thoughts?  there are many processes that cause brain lesions besides MS.  Those tick bits can be pretty small and not even noticed.  High blood pressure will cause these lesions to appear as will migraines.

Can you tell us a bit as to why the MRI was ordered?