Re: mri brain - can a lesion be a scar from a previous stroke and if so how long would it take an infarction to become a scar / lesion? (lft occip)

SHORT TIME: The basic sequence is first localized inflammation of about 24-48 hrs maximally, and then localized cleanup from glia, macrophages, and microglia for about 4-6 wks., any recovery of myelin takes about 4 wks after healing starts, and maximal scarring occurs about 3-4 months. So if you did have a stroke, a focal MRI lesion shows the prior location.

Following injury: Following any injury, inflammation typically occurs for 4 days followed by scar tissue proliferation for a minimum of 6 weeks which is then followed by scar maturation which can be active for 2 years. Thereafter the scar is stable but always under a steady state of turnover.