I have the results for the brain MRI and need some translation

[Phoenix177]

I have the results for the brain MRI (taken 6/8/10) and need some translation. I'm coping the following from the report itself.........and I'm not buying its migraines causing all these problems

MRI of the brain

clinical data: multihance 14 cc IV

Technique: the following imaging sequences were obtained:
FLAIR    BLADE        Sagittal        3
T1                            Sagittal        2
T2          BLADE         Axial          3
FLAIR    BLADE         Axial           3
T1                             Axial           3
DWI                          Axial           5
T1                             Axial           3 post-gadollinium, mag transfer
T1                            Coronal       3  post-gadollinium, fat sat
T1                             Axial           3  post-gadollinium, fat sat    

FINDING: There is no evidence of intracraial mass effect or midline shift. The ventricles, sulci, cisterns and fissures are all normal in size, position, and configuration. Gray/white matter differentiation is normal. A few nonspecific foci of white matter hyperintensity are demonstrated in the supratentorial white matter tracts, a couple evident in the posterior left frontal lobe, arguably one or two also on the right.  Findings nonspecific. Post-migraine, post-vasculitic sequela, minimal small vessel disease, post-inflammatory or infectious sequela and multiple sclerosis all in the differential. The typical central subependymal striations characteristics of MS, however, are not identified.  Again, no enhancing intracranial lesions are present. No foci of acute diffusion restriction are present indicative of acute ischemic change. Regions of the mastoid air cells and sinuses are unremarkable in appearance.    

IMPRESSION:  A few nonspecific supratentorial punctate foci of white matter T2 prolongation without mass effect of enhancement. nonspecific appearance, please refer to discussion above. otherwise negative intracranial MRI examination

[Nursyart1971]

My 40yr old husband was hospitalized with severe new onset headache causing a terrible change in level of consciousness. 7 drs no one knows what's wrong. Finally after a month one dr gives dx of "Jacksonian migraines with aura" husband never had a migraine before. I look this dx up on net. There is no such thing! My husbands MRI shows 2 focus and one foci. One is a 0.6cm "cyst" on his pituitary gland. One area is near left ventricle. And the foci is near his left periventricle. I say he needs a good neurologist and a good endocrinologist. Not a headache dr. Seems like when drs are in doubt dx migraine. I'm not buying this dx for my husband either.

[Phoenix177]

earlier this month, I had my SSD hearing. my attorney told me what this neuro wrote....
basically saying I'm either in the early stages of MS (still no dx yet) or I crazy......

not sure how to take this

[Phoenix177]

I don't even think the neuro was with me for 10 minutes.

as soon as he came in, he read the report......I never saw the MRI (still not sure what strength the machine was) and not sure if he even looked at it....then he said you have migraine spots...I said I don't have migraines/feel a headache of any kind when the symptoms are acting up....

he said some people don't but this could explain the tingling...I asked then what about the bladder and bowel problems or my right leg when it got stuck last summer.

I had to drag it to get inside and cool down....after I cooled down my leg slowly came back under my control........or the tingling and sometimes electrical shock in my face.......I stopped here since he wasn't listening

he mentioned something about starting migraine meds when I see my PCP...I see him on the 7th.....and then he slipped out of the room.....I asked for a copy of the report from the receptionist since the doc was no where to be found

I'm planning on asking for a 2nd option....I just can't believe all these sx....that 90% to 100% disabled me last summer ....can be from a migraine, and my gut feeling says No, keeping looking....maybe if I get a 2nd option, that doctor will want to due another mri of my spine/neck.......this last one was just my brain

[Quixotic1]

The language of the rad is stating that there are only a few foci (spots) which are punctate (pinpoint).  The way he says it is "there a a few spots, among them are a few here and aguably a few there.)  

Few in this case seems to mean "some".

"Non-specific" means that there are no characteristics that point to one diagnosis over another and that the "clinical picture"  (history of symptoms and findings on exam) should take precedence here.

Non-specific does NOT mean it is not MS.

Quix

[Karen99]

Does a "couple" of "foci" plus a "few" more "foci" = a few foci?  I would say that equals several foci.    

Apparently the neurologist made a diagnosis of migraine based on your symptoms?  Did your neurologist explain why he/she came to this diagnosis?  I think the term "clinical findings" is used by a neuro to come to a diagnosis based on the MRI and symptoms.  Have you had an LP?

If I remember right (and I'll look back at your older postings) you were having significant symptoms.  I'm not sure I would buy into the migraine dx either.

Good to see you here again.