Woodland Hills, CA
A 68-year-old male asked:

I had a cat scan, showed chronic microvascular ischemic white matter disease. my doctor who ordered the ct looked at it and did not comment. is ms or other auto immune system possible?

3 doctor answers9 doctors weighed in
Dr. David Brouwer
Internal Medicine 32 years experience
Not likely: Hi! that terminology on the ct scan is usually seen in patients over 65 and is often related to a history of hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, vascular disease, and other conditions that affect blood vessels. It is not usually ms, which causes patches of spots in the white matter around the ventricles of the brain.
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Dr. Frank Mayo
Pulmonary Critical Care 50 years experience
No: The study shows age and vascular change in white matter . This is usually a specific findind and is noy consistent with ms or autoimmine disease.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Bennett Machanic
Neurology 47 years experience
Unlikely: Radiologists look at patterns of white matter disease, and if you are older than age 60, have a history of high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol, this represents arterial changes, not ms or any autoimmune process. The focus should be placed on preventing strokes or heart attacks.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Last updated May 15, 2018
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