My 71 Yr Old Husband Fell Down The Stairs And

Posted on Fri, 27 Dec 2019

Question: My 71 yr old husband fell down the stairs and needed stitches. Because of his age, the emergency room sent him for a ct scan. The results scared us. Although there is no damage from the fall, they said this, "Periventricular and subcortical white matter hypodensities are non-specific, but likely
representing chronic white matter microangiopathy." In the conclusions they wrote, "Age-related global atrophy. Chronic white matter microangiopathy."

My question is, what is this and should I start to worry about him? I have noticed that he is changing a bit. He says, "it just means I'm getting old". I realize that he is getting old, but what specifically should I be concerned about?

Thank-you, XXXXXXX Fogler

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Angiopathy linked to unstable blood pressure.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask A Doctor" service.

I have read your query and here is my explanation.

Chronic white matter angiopathy in CT scan is a finding that correlates mostly with unstable blood pressure ( mainly chronic high blood pressure).

The atrophy depends on the degree, mild to moderate atrophy is mainly age-related ( wasting of the nerve cells ).

Advanced atrophy may correlate with dementias.

In your husband's case, is necessary a correct control of blood pressure in order to stop the advancement of microangiopathy.

If cognitive impairment is noticed, evaluation by the Neurologist is necessary too.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee