What is Brain Pruning?

[peastalker]

Hello,
I just had my bi-annual MRI to check for any changes and my report states that I have enhanced pruning of the callosal, typically not seen in a 42 year old. The findings are new and were not visible in previous MRI. These findings could be result of underlying demyelinating disease. I don't want a prune brain, I sometimes already feel like I have a pea brain, now prunes.

[PastorDan]

Neuro #1 dismisses the asymmetrical ventricles as being a product of the angle at which the MRI slices were taken.  Sorry, doc; I saw the pix, and frankly, it sounds to me like you didn't take the time.

[Fluffysmom]

I have a mega cisterna magna, too.  My first neuro was all excited about it, called it a possible Dandy-Walker formation, then mumbled a few other things, then remembered I was in the room, and went back to telling me things about my brain that were never in a radiologist's report and that my next two neuro's disagreed with.

Thanks for the laughs; I love it that we can laugh In the midst of serious matters.

Kathy

[PastorDan]

The report says "There is slight asymmetry of the ventricles, the left occiptal horn of the lateral ventricle being slightly larger than the right, though this may be an anatomic variation."  So much for being extraordinary.

Yes, I understand that any space in there not occupied by white, grey, or some other kind of solid matter would be expected to be filled with CSF.  I have another big CSF collection point that the radiologist said is likely an arachnoid cyst, but could be a "mega" cisterna magna.  I wear a size 8 hat, & all these years my wife's been thinking I had a lot of brains.  Don't tell her about so much of it being liquid, please. ;D

[peastalker]

Heee heee,
Now I'll have a massive brain fart with all that pruning.

[Quixotic1]

apparently Jen is just the opposite, lol.

[jensequitur]

And sometimes my brain feels like maybe I've taken too many prunes!  Just can't stop talking... :-P

[Quixotic1]

In medicine pruney things are more shriveled and wrinkly.

You want noraml sized ventricles.  they are part of the fluid-filled space that holds the CSF.  If they are too small it indicates locatized pressure (like a tumor).  If they are too big it mean that some of the solid matter (that being the brain tissue) has been lost, and the fluid-filled ventricles have swelled to take up the room.  Not a good thing.

All of the brain is filled (no emty parts).  It is either tissue (brain, linings, blood vessels, etc) or fluid (CSF).  No vacuums.

Q

ps - on the other hand maybe he is suggesting prunes for a constipated brain.  When I try to speak it feels like I have cerebral constipation.

[PastorDan]

Mom always told us to eat our fruits and vegetables, and look where it's taken us!  Pea brains that turn into prunes!  ;D

Hmmm.  Does ventricle size matter?  I'll re-read that section of my MRI report, but something on the left side of my brain was deemed to be extraordinary large, and I am thinking it was the ventricle.  (Figures it would be the empty space part, doesn't it?)

I think Jen's given you some good clues about what your report probably means, but I'd add that you always want the input of a good doctor on these things.  I pray that you have one.

[peastalker]

Yep, It's the Corpus callosum. It says I have moderate sized foci of increased signal intensity within my supraventricular and periventricular white matter. ( sounds like a foreign language) No mention of size. Why, does size matter? :) I wonder if they have a Viagra for the brain to prevent shrinkage.

[jensequitur]

Is that the corpus callosum?  Sounds like it's shrinking, which is evidence of demyelination.  Sometimes the only evidence of a demyelinating disease is a shrinking brain, sadly.  What did they say about the ventricles in your brain?  Are they normally sized as well?