What does white matter hyperintensity mean?

What does white matter hyperintensity mean?

White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are lesions in the brain that show up as areas of increased brightness when visualised by T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). WMH’s are also referred to as Leukoaraiosis and are often found in CT or MRI’s of older patients.

What does hyperintensity on brain MRI mean?

A hyperintensity or T2 hyperintensity is an area of high intensity on types of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the brain of a human or of another mammal that reflect lesions produced largely by demyelination and axonal loss.

What does Flair hyperintensity mean?

White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are clinically silent abnormalities visible in deep or periventricular white matter on CT or MRI. They are particularly apparent on FLAIR MRI, which is a T2-weighted sequence where the CSF signal is suppressed.

What does it mean when you have white matter on a brain MRI?

White matter disease is commonly detected on brain MRI of aging individuals as white matter hyperintensities (WMH), or ‘leukoaraiosis.” Over the years it has become increasingly clear that the presence and extent of WMH is a radiographic marker of small cerebral vessel disease and an important predictor of the life- …

Should I worry about white matter hyperintensities?

This systematic review of 46 studies, and meta-analysis, provides strong evidence that white matter hyperintensities are an important indicator of future risk of disease, being associated with an increased risk of stroke, cognitive decline (especially in the executive function and processing speed domains), dementia.

What does white matter on the brain indicate?

White matter disease is a disease that affects the nerves that link various parts of the brain to each other and to the spinal cord. These nerves are also called white matter. White matter disease causes these areas to decline in their functionality. This disease is also referred to as leukoaraiosis.

What are white matter hyperintensities in the brain?

White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are lesions in the brain that show up as areas of increased brightness when visualised by T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Are there deep T2 / Flair white matter hyperintensities?

The periventricular WMHs were defined as T2/FLAIR signal alterations in direct contact with the ventricular system. The deep WMHs were defined as T2/FLAIR signal alterations distant from the ventricular system. Periventricular and deep white matter WHMs could co-exist.

Are there hyperintensities in the frontal and parietal regions?

There is a very prominent abnormal flair and T2 hyperintensity in the frontal and parietal region at and above the level of the lateral ventricles. This is seen in the deep and subcortical white matter. Concerned about alzheimer’s / dementia. Psychscenehub Mod E Monty • 7 days ago

Are there white matter lesions in the brain?

Abstract Background: White matter hyperintensities (WMH) lesions on T2/FLAIR brain MRI are frequently seen in healthy elderly people. Whether these radiological lesions correspond to irreversible histological changes is still a matter of debate.