What Does This MRI Report Indicate?

Posted on Fri, 9 Sep 2016

Fri, 9 Sep 2016 Answered on

Wed, 12 Oct 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : my husbands mri showed "severe" diffuse parenchymal volume loss. The doctor we saw diagnosed him with dementia but when his daughter went to a visit he changed his mind to "marital issues". at this point we are going to another doctor because every place I check for the above meaning points to start of dementia. is this true

Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Get examined and evaluated by a neurologist

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
The diagnosis of dementia is made based on history and clinical presentation rather than Mri.
The picture in Mri is only supportive.
What are the symptoms?
Any behavioural abnormalities, inappropriate laughter, crying?
Any forgetfulness, disorientation, loss of consciousness, seizures?
Any chronic medical illness like diabetes, hypothyroidism and hypertension?
Based on Mri, Possibility of dementia is likely but secondary cause of memory impairment should be evaluated.
You should take him to a neurologist for detailed examination and investigation.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Neeraj Kumar (5 days later)

Dr. XXXXXXX

Thank you for you response. At this point we are going to be seeing another doctor for a second opinion and have another MRI done to compare the two. My husbands character has changed and it just hard because of the doctor changing it to "marital issues" due to my husbands daughter and her "view" of things, which she only sees him maybe 2 to 3 times a year and my daughter & I live with him full time and see the agitation and he gets defensiveness in him when he does things "not normal" to his past personality.

So again I thank you for your input. We shall see what the next doctor appointment brings.

What could be some other "secondary cause of memory impairment"?

Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (18 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Get investigation as advised

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Dementia is diagnosed based on history and radiology.
Secondary causes may be hypothyroidism, vitamin B 12 deficiency, renal disease, liver disease, alcohol abuse.
Get these investigations done.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad