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What Does Diffuse And Extensive White Matter Signal Abnormality, Correlated With The Subject History Of Any Demyelinating Or Vascular Disease Indicate?
Posted on
Thu, 24 May 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 24 May 2018
Answered on
Tue, 5 Mar 2024
Last reviewed on
Question : I recently participated in a paid psychological study that included an MRI, and I elected to have a radiologist review the MRI.
This was a Research MRI - NOT a Medical MRI. The scan was done on a SIEMANS PRISMA 3.0T. The radiologist's report states:
"Diffuse and extensive white matter signal abnormality, correlate with subject history of any demyelinating or vascular disease. Cerebral volume loss. Please see your doctor about this report."
Of course I immediately scheduled an appointment with my primary care doctor, who I assume will refer me to a neurologist for further testing - but meanwhile I am absolutely sick with worry! I have so many people who depend on me.
I am 50 years old and have ABSOLUTELY NO SYMPTOMS of cognitive decline - in fact, I work in a very intellectually demanding job, am very busy and active, walk 2-3 miles a day, and in otherwise great health.
I do have a history of minor hypertension which is under control with diuretics, and a history of tension and hormonal headaches - but not migraines. About 20 years ago I had half my thyroid removed due to benign toxic nodule but my thyroid levels are normal.
I have just spent way too much time online taking multiple memory and IQ tests and all show me to have high cognitive functioning, "little to no" indication of dementia, etc...
I do know that cerebral volume loss occurs in many people with age, so am not as alarmed by that - but everything I read about “diffuse and extensive” “white matter signal abnormality" seems very, very bad - White Matter Disease, Small Vessel Disease, AD, Vascular Dementia, etc.
While waiting to see a neurologist, I am just looking for *some* reassurance that this doesn't mean that inevitable dementia is in my future.
Does "diffuse and extensive" mean the same as "severe"? If so, how could I have this and have no symptoms? Can a *research* MRI have a false positive reading of white matter abnormalities?
This was a Research MRI - NOT a Medical MRI. The scan was done on a SIEMANS PRISMA 3.0T. The radiologist's report states:
"Diffuse and extensive white matter signal abnormality, correlate with subject history of any demyelinating or vascular disease. Cerebral volume loss. Please see your doctor about this report."
Of course I immediately scheduled an appointment with my primary care doctor, who I assume will refer me to a neurologist for further testing - but meanwhile I am absolutely sick with worry! I have so many people who depend on me.
I am 50 years old and have ABSOLUTELY NO SYMPTOMS of cognitive decline - in fact, I work in a very intellectually demanding job, am very busy and active, walk 2-3 miles a day, and in otherwise great health.
I do have a history of minor hypertension which is under control with diuretics, and a history of tension and hormonal headaches - but not migraines. About 20 years ago I had half my thyroid removed due to benign toxic nodule but my thyroid levels are normal.
I have just spent way too much time online taking multiple memory and IQ tests and all show me to have high cognitive functioning, "little to no" indication of dementia, etc...
I do know that cerebral volume loss occurs in many people with age, so am not as alarmed by that - but everything I read about “diffuse and extensive” “white matter signal abnormality" seems very, very bad - White Matter Disease, Small Vessel Disease, AD, Vascular Dementia, etc.
While waiting to see a neurologist, I am just looking for *some* reassurance that this doesn't mean that inevitable dementia is in my future.
Does "diffuse and extensive" mean the same as "severe"? If so, how could I have this and have no symptoms? Can a *research* MRI have a false positive reading of white matter abnormalities?
Brief Answer:
No need to grow anxious
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking.
I have gone through the provided details. It is quite usual for the brain as well as the other parts of the body to undergo age related degenerative changes. No wonder that atrophic changes can be found and I do not regard the findings to be 'false positive'. However, this does not indicate functional loss. Functional losses like dementia may or may not occur in the future but this is not something that you need to be anxious about. In other words, dementia is not 'inevitable' but nevertheless possible as in case of anybody else. You need not grow concerned and there is nothing that you need to do at the moment. Of course, periodic follow up with a neurologist (after the initial visit) would be good.
Feel free to write back.
Regards
No need to grow anxious
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking.
I have gone through the provided details. It is quite usual for the brain as well as the other parts of the body to undergo age related degenerative changes. No wonder that atrophic changes can be found and I do not regard the findings to be 'false positive'. However, this does not indicate functional loss. Functional losses like dementia may or may not occur in the future but this is not something that you need to be anxious about. In other words, dementia is not 'inevitable' but nevertheless possible as in case of anybody else. You need not grow concerned and there is nothing that you need to do at the moment. Of course, periodic follow up with a neurologist (after the initial visit) would be good.
Feel free to write back.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Answered by
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