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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SLS on March 26, 2006, at 8:23:45
Can anyone explain what a hyperintensity is on an MRI and what it demonstrates when it is seen in the brain?
Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by john berk on March 26, 2006, at 9:23:47
In reply to What does MRI hyperintensity mean in the brain?, posted by SLS on March 26, 2006, at 8:23:45
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7501162&dopt=Abstract
Scott, everything I read on the subject described alterations in white matter brain function, i hope this link i posted sheds some light..john
Posted by SLS on March 26, 2006, at 13:11:41
In reply to Re: What does MRI hyperintensity mean in the brain? » SLS, posted by john berk on March 26, 2006, at 9:23:47
> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7501162&dopt=Abstract
> Scott, everything I read on the subject described alterations in white matter brain function, i hope this link i posted sheds some light..john
Hi John.Thanks.
The only thing that I could glean from the stuff I found on Google is that a hyperintensity indicates a lesion of some sort and shows up as very bright areas on the MRI. I can only guess that these are areas of increased density that contain less water. I really don't know.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on March 26, 2006, at 21:46:08
In reply to Re: What does MRI hyperintensity mean in the brain?, posted by SLS on March 26, 2006, at 13:11:41
Scott well I'm sure no expert. Does it mean your brain has atrophy and your systolic blood pressure is up? Guess I really know how stupid I am after this post. But anyways Love always Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on March 26, 2006, at 21:52:57
In reply to What does MRI hyperintensity mean in the brain?, posted by SLS on March 26, 2006, at 8:23:45
If the matter is larger the blood pressure is higher. In lower there is less understanding cognititively. Did I get any of this right? Love phillipa at least I'm trying
Posted by SLS on March 27, 2006, at 6:42:50
In reply to Re: What does MRI hyperintensity mean in the brain? » SLS, posted by Phillipa on March 26, 2006, at 21:46:08
> Scott well I'm sure no expert. Does it mean your brain has atrophy and your systolic blood pressure is up?
That is definitely a scenario that will produce hyperintensities. Great guess!
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on March 27, 2006, at 11:02:19
In reply to Re: What does MRI hyperintensity mean in the brain? » Phillipa, posted by SLS on March 27, 2006, at 6:42:50
Thanks is this about you? Or a hypothesis? Love Phillipa
Posted by SLS on March 27, 2006, at 11:51:33
In reply to Re: What does MRI hyperintensity mean in the brain? » SLS, posted by Phillipa on March 27, 2006, at 11:02:19
> Thanks is this about you? Or a hypothesis? Love Phillipa
Neither. I just keep seeing the term used in the medical literature, but I haven't come across a good explanation as to what it is.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on March 27, 2006, at 19:44:30
In reply to Re: What does MRI hyperintensity mean in the brain, posted by SLS on March 27, 2006, at 11:51:33
It turns out that I had it backwards.
The more intense the signal, the greater the water content.
A hyperintensity present in a T2 weighted MRI of the brain can represent an accumulation of CSF or blood plasma, either of which indicates a lesion of some sort. It can also indicate inflammation.
- Scott
Posted by scatterbrained on March 27, 2006, at 19:58:19
In reply to What does MRI hyperintensity mean in the brain?, posted by SLS on March 26, 2006, at 8:23:45
I've never heard of an MRI showing hyperintensity because an MRI tests the stucture of the brain. From my understanding only tests that show the function of the brain can show if something is hyperintensive of not.
Perhaps an FMRI(functional mri) is what you had. Other tests that show this are PET scans and SPECT scans(although spects are considered not all that accurate any more, sorry Dr. Amen.)
Anyway, from my understanding, Hyperintensity in the frontal areas of the brain usually mean some sort of hyperactivity that could be due to, mania, hypomania, psychosis or anxiety. Depression usually shows hypoactivity but not always.
Posted by scatterbrained on March 27, 2006, at 20:11:19
In reply to Re: What does MRI hyperintensity mean in the brain, posted by scatterbrained on March 27, 2006, at 19:58:19
Never mind, I read a little and I guess an MRI can show hyperintensity. I guess there is a difference between stuctural hyperintensity and fuctional though, perhaps with some over lap in regards to vascular stuff. I'm still naive on the subject though, sorry for the pressumptousness
Posted by Phillipa on March 27, 2006, at 21:46:12
In reply to Re: What does MRI hyperintensity mean in the brain, posted by SLS on March 27, 2006, at 19:44:30
Scott how can you leak cerebral spinal fluid to your brain that is the only way to get through the blood brain barrier. Are you talking tumor? Love Jan ps there is always cerebral spinal fluid in the brain it can carry things like lymes's disease to the brain and cause damage had two taps to check for the bacterium.
Posted by SLS on March 28, 2006, at 6:33:30
In reply to Re: What does MRI hyperintensity mean in the brain » SLS, posted by Phillipa on March 27, 2006, at 21:46:12
> Scott how can you leak cerebral spinal fluid to your brain that is the only way to get through the blood brain barrier.
I'm not entirely sure. I imagine any kind of insult where there is structural damage can allow for an accumulation of fluid.
> Are you talking tumor?
No. It seems that people with certain brain disorders, including bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder can demonstrate hyperintensities in white matter (myelinated neurons), particularly in the frontal regions. It is more prevalent in the elderly.
> had two taps to check for the bacterium.
Damned spirochetes. What were the results?
I had three lumbar punctures performed while I was at the NIMH - the guinea pig that I am.
- Scott
Posted by bimini on March 28, 2006, at 16:23:41
In reply to What does MRI hyperintensity mean in the brain?, posted by SLS on March 26, 2006, at 8:23:45
> Can anyone explain what a hyperintensity is on an MRI and what it demonstrates when it is seen in the brain?
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> - ScottI have five 2-3mm hyperintense foci, white matter, parietal lobe and a 10mm lesion occipital lobe. As I understand the MRI film, the lesion is atrophied tissue and filled with CSF and are dark while the foci are bright, on a different setting this is the other way around. For this reason I thought the foci to be blood when the hole is CSF.
My Neuro would not discuss the MRI results with me and my PCP said he "wasn't impressed", whatever that means. Geee, I don't mean to impress with this hole in my brain, but I would like to know how it got there, if it will change, go away, what it is doing...
From what I have learned on my own I only know that it won't go away.
bimini
Posted by Phillipa on March 28, 2006, at 19:10:44
In reply to Re: What does MRI hyperintensity mean in the brain » Phillipa, posted by SLS on March 28, 2006, at 6:33:30
Scott no spirochettes in the fluid the first time which from what I've learned doesn't mean a thing as they hide and come out to play. The second time wasn't funny as I was around three hours from home so they let me spend the night. At around 3am an intern came in and unbenost to me I was his first spinal tap. The resident who guided him had to tell him exactly what to do each step of the way. Well I'd had sleep medication which was good. Thankfully for me he was successful. They said stay in bed on your back to avoid the headache. I had to pee so I went by myself . Snuck into the bathroom as no one answereed the call light. No headache thank god. Well the next day a neurologist I had never met came into my room and glared at me and said well you have no signs of MS. What did the idiot think that I wanted a spinal tap for lack of anything better to do. And no spirochettes again. So either they didn't invade the brain or did their work and left . I'll never know oh well. Love Phillipa
Posted by scatterbrained on March 28, 2006, at 20:54:14
In reply to Re: What does MRI hyperintensity mean in the brain?, posted by bimini on March 28, 2006, at 16:23:41
that's terrible that the neuro won't explain this to you. Maybe you should get a second opinion.
Posted by bimini on March 29, 2006, at 7:38:01
In reply to Re: What does MRI hyperintensity mean in the brain » bimini, posted by scatterbrained on March 28, 2006, at 20:54:14
Just to explain, I was a passenger in a standing car hit by an 18 wheeler. Couldn't walk, see and think after that. Was refered to first Neuro after I had a seizure. He prescribed Effexor which made the seizures and all functioning worse. He ordered the MRI because I described hallucinations. He said he doubt to find anything but "it looks good in his file". When the MRI came back abnormal he wagged the dog, told me to take vitamins. I didn't go back.
Second Neuro was very good explaining what is happening and why I am experiencing the world different. The foci were caused by axonal shearing, the lesion is of unknown origin.
He refered me to a NeuroPsych. I'm in good hands now.
bimini
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