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MRI results
Lacunar infarcts
by mamalovesnyc, 1 minute ago
My husband had two MRI's recently and was told it was "negative." However, it does not read as negative to me. It mentions lacunar infarcts in right cerebellar lobe and loss of normal flow void within the distal left vertebral artery and minimal white matter disease likely due to chronic small vessel ischemic disease.
I have been pushing for a referral to a neurologist, but feel that I must fight the GP for every little thing, including the MRI's, which I paid for outside the medical system.
Are these findings actually "negative" or am is my concern warranted? I believe he may have has some small strokes. Please help.
by mamalovesnyc, 1 minute ago
My husband had two MRI's recently and was told it was "negative." However, it does not read as negative to me. It mentions lacunar infarcts in right cerebellar lobe and loss of normal flow void within the distal left vertebral artery and minimal white matter disease likely due to chronic small vessel ischemic disease.
I have been pushing for a referral to a neurologist, but feel that I must fight the GP for every little thing, including the MRI's, which I paid for outside the medical system.
Are these findings actually "negative" or am is my concern warranted? I believe he may have has some small strokes. Please help.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.
Without the ability to obtain a history from you and examine you, I can not comment on a formal diagnosis or treatment plan for your symptoms. However, I will try to provide you with some information regarding this matter.
Why did you and your husband get the MRI? Did he have symptoms?
The loss of normal flow void in the distal left vertebral artery could be several possibilities, one being chronic occlusion of the artery. Were the vessels evaluated with a MRA (angiography) during the MRI? If there is indeed a cerebellar infarct, it would be worthwhile to evaluate the vertebral artery further. Your husband will need a stroke workup including reducing stroke risks (e.g., controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, smoking cessation, taking an antiplatelet agent if no contraindications, etc) and also determining the etiology of the stroke (e.g., did the stroke occur secondary to a cardiac source, etc). The chronic small vessel changes may or may not be significant. It is difficult to say without seeing the images since this phrase is nonspecific.
Thank you for using the forum, I hope you find this information useful, good luck.
Without the ability to obtain a history from you and examine you, I can not comment on a formal diagnosis or treatment plan for your symptoms. However, I will try to provide you with some information regarding this matter.
Why did you and your husband get the MRI? Did he have symptoms?
The loss of normal flow void in the distal left vertebral artery could be several possibilities, one being chronic occlusion of the artery. Were the vessels evaluated with a MRA (angiography) during the MRI? If there is indeed a cerebellar infarct, it would be worthwhile to evaluate the vertebral artery further. Your husband will need a stroke workup including reducing stroke risks (e.g., controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, smoking cessation, taking an antiplatelet agent if no contraindications, etc) and also determining the etiology of the stroke (e.g., did the stroke occur secondary to a cardiac source, etc). The chronic small vessel changes may or may not be significant. It is difficult to say without seeing the images since this phrase is nonspecific.
Thank you for using the forum, I hope you find this information useful, good luck.
Thank you for your response.
The reason for the MRI is that there were symptoms of poor memory, inability to problem solve, difficulty find the right word, onset of drooling, staggering gait, muscle weakness, significant loss of muscle mass over several months, behavior changes, severe depression resulting in a suicide attempt with an overdose of Benadryl (250 tabs) a year and a half ago. Many of these symptoms have appeared or become worse since the suicide attempt. He was on a respirator for several days and hasn't been the same since. The hospital and doctors state there was no brain damage. What I see is a definite change.
Angiography was not done and I am requesting a referral to a neurologist or cardiologist? but am getting resistance from the GP. I can see that something is wrong and would like answers and proper treatment so that there is no further damage and quality of life is the best it can be, whatever that may be.
Does this sound significant to you to warrant further workup?
The reason for the MRI is that there were symptoms of poor memory, inability to problem solve, difficulty find the right word, onset of drooling, staggering gait, muscle weakness, significant loss of muscle mass over several months, behavior changes, severe depression resulting in a suicide attempt with an overdose of Benadryl (250 tabs) a year and a half ago. Many of these symptoms have appeared or become worse since the suicide attempt. He was on a respirator for several days and hasn't been the same since. The hospital and doctors state there was no brain damage. What I see is a definite change.
Angiography was not done and I am requesting a referral to a neurologist or cardiologist? but am getting resistance from the GP. I can see that something is wrong and would like answers and proper treatment so that there is no further damage and quality of life is the best it can be, whatever that may be.
Does this sound significant to you to warrant further workup?
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