What Does Small Hyperintensity Mean On MRI Report?

Posted on Thu, 1 Oct 2015

Question: My family doctor ordered an MRI of my brain to try and rule out MS. I have been having strange things happen for the past year. I have been diagnosed with Graves Disease and am currently being treated with methimazole. I have tested a low positive on ANA at 1:320 two different times. I was having a great deal of symptoms such as tingling in arms, hands and feet as well as other symptoms. I wanted to see if my MRI results are considered normal or if i should have any further testing. This is what my report says...

Normal MRI of the head. The only finding is a small foci of increased T2 signal demonstrated to the subcortical area of the left frontal region seen on image 13 on the axials and on image 15 on the coronals to the left side. I just want to make sure it is nothing to be concerned about. Thank you

Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Further evaluation is needed

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Small hyperintensity in MRI is not a significant finding and can be present in the vasculitic involvement . Please upload the MRI images so that I can review them in detail.
Multiple sclerosis evaluation needs MRI of spine and brain along with CSF ( cerebrospinal fluid ) examination.
ANA positivity should be further evaluated with antibodies like anti dsDNA, SS-A, SS-B and C3 and C4 levels as possibility of autoimmune disorder is also there.
Hope you found the answer helpful. Please do get back to me with the reports, if feasible.
Wishing you good health.
Regards
Dr Neeraj Kumar
Neurologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina