Question 1

had an mri that showed chronic small vessel ischemic disease -- is this a precursor to dementia?

Accepted Answer

Precursor for nothin: That's a phrase used by radiologists reading MRI's &amp; doesn't specify any particular process.  Is seen as part of the normal aging process as well as part of expected findings in people who have been diagnosed and are being treated for diabetes, high cholesterol, smokers, and those with high blood pressure. Cannot predict dementia by any means.

Question 2

brain mri report reads: scattered foci of white matter signal abnormality in bilateral corona radiata and centrum semiovale are most consistent with small vessel ischemic disease. im scared i am only 37yo. is this serious?

Accepted Answer

: Scattered white matter signal abnormality is a non specific finding and suggest chronic small vessel disease. It’s very common with age. There are lots of reasons for small vessel disease. You need to follow up with a neurologist to evaluate causes for white matter lesions and small vessel disease. These may be seen if you have underlying disease. Please follow up with neurologist.

Question 3

i had a ct scan of my brain..the results read i had small lucunar infarct left basal ganglia small vessel ischemic disease... what do i have?  it started with a headache on my right temple for the last 6 months,  doctor sent me to physical theapy, but did

Accepted Answer

Small strokes: A small lacunar infarct refers to a stroke from occlusion of a small blood vessel. Small vessel ischemic disease refers to a chronic process whereby the small blood vessels become smaller and smaller over time and cause tiny strokes in certain brain tissues. Typical risk factors are chronic hypertension, smoking and diabetes mellitus. These small strokes can be significant when they accumulate.

Question 4

can ischemic small vessel disease cause gliosis?  how would ischemic small vessel disease be treated in a minimal area of white matter in the brain?

Accepted Answer

Yes.: White matter changes frequently seen on brain MRI are the result of chronic small vessel ischemic disaease and it is the resulting small focus of gliosis that shows on the MRI imaging.  Treating your underlying cardiovascular heath is key, not the MRI finding.

Question 5

i had 3 ischemic strokes in the past 2years. i have white matter disease & small vessel disease. i was told 2/11 by my neurologist i have caa and microbleeds. no ms. should i fly? i want to fly to florida on 2/20? thank you?

Accepted Answer

: Commercial airlines have pressurized cabins, and personally, I would encourage you to enjoy your life and travel if you feel up to it.  Cannot predict when or if you will have additional bleeding as this is indeed part of amyloid angiomatosis.  Just to be safe, have your neurologist contact a stroke specialist at your destination prior to the flight.

Question 6

i recently had an mri of the brain. the results where as follows mild atrophy and mild periventricular white matter ischemic small vessel disease.  wh?

Accepted Answer

Perhaps benign: The MRI truly needs clinical correlation, as the ischemic white matter disease is not uncommonly seen with atherosclerotic changes of aging, and the atrophy may potentially be c/w aging also.  But if associated with memory loss or changes in your cognition, could correlate with a progressive dementia perhaps.   Query your doctor as to why test was done and if it confirms a clinical problem.

Question 7

i have double vision in one eye. forgetfulness. mri states minimal small vessel ischemic change or demyelinating disease in frontal lobe white matter. pcp says start of ms. neurologist appt next week. is there  any other things it might be?

Accepted Answer

Diplopia: If you're sure that the double vision is in one eye only  the cause is usually astigmatism. This type of unioccular diplopia is only noticeable while looking through the one eye and has nothing to do with eye muscle movement.  However if you see double because one eye isn't moving properly, then MS is a possibility. The neurologist will advise. An ophthalmologist is best to localize the eye proble

Question 8

chronic small vessel ischemic changes indicate inflammation?

Accepted Answer

NO: it does not indicate inflammation. It just indicates gliosis( scar tissue in brain).

Question 9

mri result: "mild presumed chronic small vessel ischemic changes in the supratentorial white matter."  should i be concerned?

Accepted Answer

Atherosclerosis : No. This is normal aging of the brain. However going forward, make sure that there is good blood pressure control, maintain normal cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and avoid smoking. These steps will slow the progression of atherosclerosis in the brain.

Question 10

what does "patchy foci of hypoattenuation within supratentorial periventricular & subcortical white matter is nonspecific but likely represents age-indeterminate mild chronic small vessel ischemic changes" indicate? i'm 59, hx of chronic migraines?

Accepted Answer

Fancy language : As we age the smaller vessels tend to lose patency or become blocked. That results in small focus of increased signal on the mri. Sometimes migraines cause them.

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Doctor answers about:

Chronic small vessel ischemic disease symptoms

A member asked:

Had an mri that showed chronic small vessel ischemic disease -- is this a precursor to dementia?

A member asked:

Brain mri report reads: scattered foci of white matter signal abnormality in bilateral corona radiata and centrum semiovale are most consistent with small vessel ischemic disease. im scared i am only 37yo. is this serious?

A member asked:

I had a ct scan of my brain..the results read i had small lucunar infarct left basal ganglia small vessel ischemic disease... what do i have? it started with a headache on my right temple for the last 6 months, doctor sent me to physical theapy, but did

A member asked:

Can ischemic small vessel disease cause gliosis? how would ischemic small vessel disease be treated in a minimal area of white matter in the brain?

A member asked:

I had 3 ischemic strokes in the past 2years. i have white matter disease & small vessel disease. i was told 2/11 by my neurologist i have caa and microbleeds. no ms. should i fly? i want to fly to florida on 2/20? thank you?

A member asked:

I recently had an mri of the brain. the results where as follows mild atrophy and mild periventricular white matter ischemic small vessel disease. wh?

A member asked:

I have double vision in one eye. forgetfulness. mri states minimal small vessel ischemic change or demyelinating disease in frontal lobe white matter. pcp says start of ms. neurologist appt next week. is there any other things it might be?

A member asked:

Chronic small vessel ischemic changes indicate inflammation?

A member asked:

Mri result: "mild presumed chronic small vessel ischemic changes in the supratentorial white matter." should i be concerned?

A member asked:

What does "patchy foci of hypoattenuation within supratentorial periventricular & subcortical white matter is nonspecific but likely represents age-indeterminate mild chronic small vessel ischemic changes" indicate? i'm 59, hx of chronic migraines?

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