MRI showing white matter disease

[cmp2]

In January I saw my doctor because of dizzy spells that were severe but they went away with no diagnosis.  Since late October, I've been having slight numbness in my thumb and pins and needs feeling in my feet.  The thumb stays the same but the problem in my feet is sporadic.  My doctor had me get an MRI (no contrast) to rule out a brain tumor.  After reviewing the results he said there is some inflammation of the white matter and I need to see a neurologist and would not elaborate.  Unfortunately I can't get in until Dec and now have shooting pains in the left side of my head that come and go.  They last only a few seconds but are very painful.  I get about 20 per day for the last 3 days.  I'm only 32 and in great health with no blood pressure or cholestorol issues.  I exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet.  The MRI results refers to White Matter Disease.  Does this mean inflammation of the white matter?  What are potential causes?

[Dano1330]

This thread may be dead, but since I've just found it, I'd like to contribute. I was electrocuted in an accident in 1991. Within a couple of weeks, I began to suffer from very severe head pain. (I never use the word "headache" because it's not an "ache"). The research into electrical injury had just begun about the time of my accident. Fast-forward to 2002, after dozens of neurologists & other doctors, and every type of treatment imaginable, I found a neuropsychiatrist who was certified in Pain Management. Ironically, his 1st Bachelors Degree was in Electrical Engineering, so he had some familiarity with electricity and, obviously, the brain. In 2010,an MRI showed significant abnormal white matter in my brain. My Dr told me that chronic, intractable head pain can cause changes and damage to the brain, which he believed to be the case in this instance, even though my 1st MRI with him didn't show these changes. He says that I'm at a moderate/high risk of early onset dementia because of the abnormal white matter. My pain, which is a common problem for people who are electrocuted by low-voltage and  long-exposure, has not reduced in the 26 years since the accident. In fact, it is probably worse now than ever before. The only relief is from opiod medications. I have to submit to a drug test at every doctor appointment and must be available for surprise medication counts. While I am "dependent" on the meds from taking different types over 26+ years, I've never abused them or sold them. At the age of 56, I've spent almost half of my life dealing with debilitating pain. I would do anything to not need the medicine, but my life literally depends upon it. With the recent panic over the "opioid epidemic" and the knee-jerk overreactions by the CDC & DEA, my life is truly in danger. I survive an accident by a miracle, but government agencies may kill me. Ironic and sad.

[SMcK211]

Sharp shooting pain in head suddenly, lasting very short period of time could be trigeminal neuralgia.  I only consider this because I have had several attacks of this, then it subsides.  Mine occurred after a diagnosis of transverse myelitis, which is an acute inflammation of spinal cord.  I recovered, this was in 1984.  But since 2002, they have been finding abnormal white matter in brain, still no diagnosis even though I do fall, extremely heat intolerant.  Recently I saw an Opthamologist who says I have a progressive muscle weakness of eyes.  This causes double vision, blurred vision.  I wish you the best, it can be very frustrating with no answers, I know.
SMcK

[robnaz]

I've found out that white matter changes can be the result of many things depending on locations and progressions.  MS is a demyelmating disease and white matter changes affect not on the front lobes but other regions too.  White matter changes can be aging, injury, mental disorders, and a whole list of other things.  What is important is not to take anything from an MRI at face value.  It has to be read in conjunction with your symptoms and other testing.  What might seem scary could actually be something minor.  When you do get in to see your neuro doc ask him to explain in laymans terms!  

[shawnie31]

I am also very confused and cannot' find any info on the net regarding my MRI results. I will write word for word what the radiologists dictated maybe someone out there can help. I have been referred to a Neurologist but unsure when my appt. will be at this time.

MRI done Feb 7/09,
MRI machine was a 1.5 Tesla.
"Several small punctate foci of high signal on the T2 WII in the subcortical white matter of both frontal lobes. These are not specific in distribution or appearance. If ongoring clinical concern with respect to demyelinating disease persists, this study can serve as a baseline for subsequent follow up.

Can anyone help with this???

[kristap]

I went to my Primary dr. for severe headaches and pain behind my right eye. I have been for numerous tests, including an CT scan and an MRI/MRA of my head. The CT scan was normal, and I found out today that there were white spots on the MRI........ I was also referred to a neurologist. My primary dr. specialty is cardiology so she wouldn't discuss my MRI results with me because she said she knew nothing about it and couldn't properly make a diagnosis....... I've been doing research on white spots on an MRI and all that is coming up is about MS, and now I'm even more worried and scared... Is that what the white spots mean? By the sounds of it that is what everyone here is in the same situation..... I can't get in to see the neurologist until Dec. 15, and that was with them squeezing me in, so I have a long wait to get any answers.

[mommyofthreeadorablegremlins]

I can relate to what you're going through. I really hope everything turns around for you and you get better soon.

[mommyofthreeadorablegremlins]

I was in a head-on collision when a guy made a wrong left turn on August 2, 2008. I am 29 and always in good health, no hypertension, no elevated cholesterol, etc. Due to symptoms that occurred about a week after the accident of numbness, weakness, tingling, burning in my extremities, pain in my lower back and neck, I was sent for MRI of the lumbosacral and cervical spines and an MRI of the brain.

I was shocked to find out that there were "white matter changes" on the MRI of the brain. I was extremely saddened and confused about this especially when my nurse practitioner asked if there was a history of MS in my family. I have 3 small children, a daughter age 4 and twins who will be 1 in a week, so I am beyond worried about this. The referral to the neurologist seems like it has taken forever, and I finally am going to my first neurology appointment tomorrow. I am so confused as to if I have MS, some kind of vascular disorder (Premature heart disease runs in my Mom's family.) or if it could possibly be post-concussive syndrome from the accident. I am very concerned and although I try not to think about it, I will probably be worried until I know exactly what is going on. It all seems really vague and confusing right now.

[Jeanette52]

"Yes I am afraid"

I am 56 years young and have been diagnosed with Demyelmating Disease which is Lesions in the Brain that eventual leads to Multiple Sclerosis.  It started with fainting with amnesia and small mini strokes.  I had a MRI and was diagnose with white matter disease with several lesion in the brain.  I am now having problems with my balance and I fall often, I can not balance anything in my hands.  Prior to diagnose, I had never heard of white matter disease or demyelmating Disease.  I am researching everything I can to educate myself on this disease.  From problems with my balance, mini strokes, fainting with amnesia and small mini strokes, and it all appear I am heading toward MS.  I am not prepared for this, I have eight grandchildren and two sons’ and I pray that God will bless me to see them grow into adults.  If there is a cure then I want to be the first in line.

Yes I am worried

Jeanette

[candyLoo]

Hi  am only 21 years old and found out 2 years ago that i had (in my braind everything that acts like a tumor but its not a tumor i have all the signs ....i got an Mri and spinal tap....my pressure on the spinal came back very high so there for they told me that they  wanted to run a shunt from my brain to my spine and there wasnt 100% that it would  even help ...ive seen over 4 diff nerologolist and they all said the same thing and that the  only other option was to loose 50lbs and that the pressure might ease up...so now ive lost 40 lbs and instead of crying so hard because my head felt like exploding and that was  the worst pain ever....but now that ive lost the weight i dont get those awful headaches and dizzyness everyday i only get them every so often....I havnt felt this way in a longggggggggggg time i actually feel like i can be a normal 21 yr old...i found out that one of the things that triggers it is processed meat....I have done alot of researching and wanted answers and i im slowly learning and finding out answers.....so keep researching and keep asking questions

[cmp2]

Thank you so much for your response. I will let you know when I find out more.  This is actually a report from an office in the US (New York state).  I fear that they will tell me early signs of MS.  My father had MS and although it's not familia, I know it does increase my chances.  I tried to get in sooner because of the severe headaches but the nurses were horrible the nuero refers me to my primary and primary to neuro.  I've decided to wait it out until Dec and just try not to think about it until then.

[Demiguise]

I'm not a Dr. but have some knowledge of physiology & scans.
I have NEVER seen a report post: white matter disease. They
generally say disorder & leave it up to the Neuro to find the
problem. I can tell by what you posted that your Dr. now was
correct saying what he did, but it still should've been said
w/ alittle more info. I can tell that you have some type of
disorder by the areas mentioned being bilateral & in the frontal
area plus the genu. You do have some type of (disorder). It
takes a skilled Dr. in Neurology to detail this out further.
If you're in the U.S. radiologists just don't use word, disease
in reports. I will say, you should contact your Dr. & maybe
even exagerate the pain intensity & frequency of your head &
ask if they will talk to the Neuro's ofc to get you in sooner or
even to just briefly look at report & maybe request films. Then
maybe Neuro will decide on a opinion w/o you even being there?
There are Neuro's of specific fields/disorders. You want to get
answers & to the right Neuro. You want to enjoy the holidays.
If you are in NZ or UK then things work much slower. I can't
diagnose you but I would be nice, yet pushy. Let them know the
problem is worse & anxiety is affecting sleep. It's worth the
try. Stick to the head pains & play dwn the numb feeling. Keep
the focus on the appt. Get back later & let us know how ya' did
&/or what was found. This is a Support forum. We also listen to
complaining abt the Dr's! I wish you well & luck.  

[cmp2]

I did get a copy of the report from radiology, here it is:
Scattered punctate foci of bilateral anterior periventricular white matter disease in the anterior terminal myelination zones are identified.  There is also small punctate foci of right anterior frontal subcortical white matter disease and a focus of white matter disease at the genu of the left internal capsule.  There is no involvement of the corpus callosum nor of the posterior fossa structures.

[Demiguise]

White matter disease is an awful term to write or say to you.
It's a dx's that creates anxiety. You have grey matter & then
dwn to the white matter. Get a copy of report from ofc or from
lab. Lab won't call Dr. Evidently radiologist recorded a spot
in ?, or a nerve mis-fire, etc. during test. Dr. is probably
giving you the brush-off because it's just not his knowledge or
field. Get copy for hm-health-file. Law says you can have.
That comment is terrible. Would make a person go crazy w/ fear.
Go to Neuro but get copy so you'll know ahead what's going on.
You may need a spine mri to complete picture since they work
together to transmit signal of motion & sensations. If very
serious, the ofc. can call over & do a work-in or you can put
your name on a cancellation list. Wish you luck.

[kitlyn]

Hi i had two MRI 's one w contrast and one without. They said i may have inflammation too, and they aren;t sure what my two spots are. He refers to them as spots.. this all ocuured after a diet i was on..where i lost 15 pounds very quickly.. and never had beena  dieter.Thought it was that. Had started to have , "pressure " headaches, and they told me it was stress. I knew better. NOw as you are having i am having the sharp head pains.. i saw a neurologist when this all began.Calla nd get an appointment rt away. My dR says i am in no serious danger,.but it sure feels like it. I look very healthy and am fairly fit, have been told not to drive , due to faint feeling..and have had to get medical assistance for this..as i have trouble not working rt now... Gosh sorry ..i didn't mean to post over you. I feel for you.. i am not a DR so i don't know what you have.. I went to ER 3 times..and they told me it was all stresss. and they didn't know what the pressure was.. Finally a bigger hosp listened. to me ..but would not keep me due to type of insurnace for mri test.. Good luck let uis know more K