migraines and hyperintensities

[ngsmed]

Hello,

I have been suffering from migraine headaches for more than 20 years now. I am currently 29 years old.
I had a brain  MRI done in 2009 april and the report from radiologist was as follows.

1. Multiple non specific fronto parietal subcortical white matter t@ weighted/ T2 Trim tiny hyperintense foci.
2. Prominent perivascular spaces across the left basal ganglia.

My neurologist said, these are nothing to worry and people with chronic migraine do have these hyperintense Foci.

I had another MRI recently last week and the radiologist report says,
1. Multiple small foci of hyperintensities in T2 FLAIR images in subcortical white matter, centrum semiovale and periventricular deep white matter - suggestive of ? demyelination
2. Corpus callosum appears normal in morphology and signal intensities.

I am a bit confused now. Does this suggest of MS ? or other demyelination disease ? For migraines i am on Topamac 25mg and i get relief with headache frequency reduced to 1 a month. Can these hyperintensities also occur as a result of chronic migraine ?

During winter season, i sometimes have dizziness spells during morning and it subsides by evening. During that time, i found it hard to concentrate and also to remember certain things/words. My neuro also had mentioned that i have little exaggerated physiological tremor.

I have a follow up with my neurologist next week.  

Fingers crossed.

Thanks

[ngsmed]

Thanks for replying.

I had a follow up. I forgot to mention in my previous post that there is absolutely no difference in the MRI scan that was taken in 2009 and the one taken last week in 2013. The lesions found in 2009 are still intact in the same place and are of same size and no new lesions are detected.

My neurologist ruled out all other conditions except migraine. Hence, I am feeling massively relieved. Also, I had a second opinion on the same and the opinion from the second neurologist also concurred. Hopefully no more scare.

Thanks

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
It is difficult to comment on the exact nature of the hyper-intensities or white regions. However, the three important causes are dilatation of perivascular spaces, demyelination and reduced blood supply.
Hence, these hyperintensities can be due to multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's or Wilson's Disease, migraine headaches, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. You will need further tests to find the cause, but yes, migraines is a string suspect.
Please consult your doctor regarding this. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.