'a few non-specific dots are present within the subcortical white matter of the frontal lobes bilaterally' This was the finding on my brain MRI. Has anyone had similar results? Is this a common finding to Lyme or can other things cause 'non-specific dots?' Thanks.
Posted by steve1906 (Member # 16206) on :
You can also do a search on (MRI and lyme disease)
Posted by tickssuck (Member # 15388) on :
Mine said, "hyperintensities in the deep white matter." I don't know what this means....maybe a more "scientific" version of "dots," not sure...
Posted by steve1906 (Member # 16206) on :
"Hyperintensities in the white matter" is the correct scientific term -- find it really hard to believe that a radiologist actually used the term "nonspecific dots".
Hubby has these as do many tickborne disease patients.
His numerous MRI's have offered many possible causes -- depends on the radiologist who reads the films.
Examples -- Lyme (neuroborelliosis), migraines (hubby did not have a headache problem at that time, ischemic changes (related to blood flow due to stroke or hypertension), aging (a ridiculous assumption in my opinion -- he was 45 or maybe 50 at that time).
No one has ever suggested MS to him but that is a frequent assumption by many radiologists and neurologists.
I am pretty sure that there has been at least 1 or 2 other explanations that I can't remember right now.
This finding is nonspecific but don't let a neurologist tell you that it is normal.
Bea Seibert
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
bea-does he take the mri with contrast or without? im still struggling as to whether to refuse the chemical
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
bea-did he have the mri with or without contrast...i am still struggling over whether to have mri with the chemical
Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :
Hubby has always had his MRI's done with contrast. It has never bothered him.
Bea Seibert
Posted by lyme in Putnam (Member # 11561) on :
Had my dozen with and without contrast.
Posted by tickssuck (Member # 15388) on :
@ Steve..but I'm not depressed, though maybe this can be a cause. Actually, maybe I am slightly as I'm so tired of being sick, ugh.
As Bea mentioned above, I believe it to be a result of TBD's. They too said possibly from migraines (I'd never been known to have one, ever) or age (I was 43 at the time)....TS
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- sky123,
White "dots" or changes in white matter is very common with lyme and can reverse with good treatment.
I hope you have an ILADS-educated LLMD who has assessed you for a full range of coinfections, too.
As for depression showing on an MRI, I think depression can be the RESULT of whatever causes the brain changes - regarding lyme, THAT causes a lot of brain changes - and --- surprise - depression is just one result.
Depression is also from liver/kidney toxicity (especially with a toxic infection), and so many other neuro-physical reactions.
Food allergies can cause depression. Food ADDITIVES can cause depression. Not enough protein or fat in the diet, etc. And on and on.
Be sure to discuss this with your LLMD.
Good luck. -
Posted by steve1906 (Member # 16206) on :
I only had one Brain MRI - three years ago, and it did show white matter. At the time, I was very, very depressed.
So in my case I know the (white matter/Lyme) was the problem.