MRI Findings

[weezer236]

Please tell me the meaning of the following phrases taking from the Findings of an MRI on my brains shown below. Background: I had two lesions treated with gamma ray knife "surgery" several months ago.

"associated FLAIR abnormality"
"punctate focus of enhancement"
"small vessel ischemic disease change"

Findings:  The enhancing lesion in the left parasagittal parietal region on image 15 of series 7 is minimally smaller, measuring 4 mm. There is associated FLAIR abnormality without edema. In the left posterior frontal lobe medially, there is a punctate focus of enhancement (image 21 of series 7) that remains stable. There are scattered foci of FLAIR abnormality in the cerebral white matter suggesting small vessel ischemic disease change. There is no hydrocephalus, and expected flow voids are present.

[Lillymimi]

Please explain this on my MRI.

Findings on MRI:  Approximate 4 periventricular foci of white matter T2 prolongation are identified.  Greater then 20 addition foci of white matter T2 prolongation are seen in the deep and subcontircal white matter with greater than 3 subcortical lesions.  

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

FLAIR is an MRI technique used to null the effect of fluid on solid structures. This is usually done on neurological imaging.
Punctate refers to small spots, while enhancement refers to increased signal on the imaging.
Small vessel ischaemic disease refers to reduces blood supply of a region due to disease of small blood vessels.
Hope this information helps.

Take care!