What Does An MRI Report Indicating Enlarged Ventricles, Increased White Matter Signal, And A Possible Retention Cyst Or Mucocele Suggest?

what does this mean on a MRI? : The ventricles are enlarged and the sulcal spaces prominent in a pattern compatible with mild, diffuse volume loss. There is moderate confluent increased signal intensity in the deep and periventricular white matter bilaterally, as well as additional more discrete foci of increased signal intensity in the deep and subcortical white matter. The appearance is nonspecific, but often reflects ischemic changes related to small vessel disease. There is no restricted diffusion to suggest an acute ischemic event. The sellar and parasellar regions are unremarkable. Normal flow void is identified within both intracranial internal carotid arteries, and in the basilar artery. The 7th and 8th cranial nerve complexes and internal auditory canals, as imaged are unremarkable. The right sphenoid sinus appears slightly expanded, and is filled with high signal intensity on T1- weighted images, demonstrating low signal intensity on T2 weighted images. This may reflect a large retention cyst or mucocele containing proteinaceous material. The remaining paranasal sinuses are unremarkable. The orbits, and the bony calvarium as imaged are unremarkable. On series 12 image 1, there is a partly visualized focus of fluid signal intensity posterior to the dens. This could reflect a cyst related to a degenerative or inflammatory changes at the atlantodental joint however exact etiology is uncertain. If clinically indicated this could be further evaluated with dedicated imaging of the cervical spine. It Mildly effaces the ventral thecal sac, however the cervical spinal canal at this level appears widely patent. IMPRESSION: 1. Moderate, single abnormality in the white matter as described above, as well as a few small lesions in the cerebellum. The appearance is nonspecific, but often reflects ischemic changes related to small vessel disease. There is no restricted diffusion, and no evidence of an acute ischemic event. 2. Slightly expanded appearance of the right sphenoid sinus, which is filled with high signal intensity material on the T1-weighted images that demonstrates low signal on the T2-weighted images. This could reflect a retention cyst or, possibly mucocele containing proteinaceous material. If clinically indicated, the paranasal sinuses could be evaluated in greater detail with a CT scan. 3. Partly visualized, 6-7 mm cystic-appearing lesion posterior to the dens at the level of the upper cervical cord. This is incompletely evaluated, but could reflect a cyst related to degenerative or inflammatory changes in the atlantodental joint. It Effaces the ventral thecal sac without narrowing the spinal canal or neural foramina. If clinically indicated, this could be further evaluated with dedicated imaging of the cervical spine