MRI Showed Hyperintensity On T2W/FLAIR. Does This Indicate Epilepsy?

Posted on Mon, 29 Apr 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 Answered on

Tue, 21 May 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : A 20 year old male with focus of T2/FLAIR hyperintensity on left frontal lobe. What does this mean? Does this indicate epilepsy and if so could it be that there is a possibility of future surgery to help?

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (3 hours later)

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query.

Hyperintensity on T2W/FLAIR MRI is suggestive of old damage to the frontal lobe. The underlying causes can be ischemia (lack of blood flow to brain), infection of that part or injury to that part of brain.

This can be the cause of frontal lobe epilepsy.

The usual treatment is with anti epileptic medications. However, if the epilepsy is not well controlled despite using maximum doses of medications, then, surgery may be indicated.

As of now, there is no need to worry.

I hope it helps. I would be pleased to answer any follow up queries.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar