White Matter Brain Lesions

Posted by kripto @kripto, Apr 24, 2021

Hello,
I am a 24 year old male, and 2 years ago an MRI scan showed up to 20 deep white matter brain lesions up to 5 mm in size (on sequences FLAIR, T2). I had a followed up lumbar punction which was negative for MS. At the time I experience paresthesia on my right thigh, which are gone now.
I do have ectopic heartbeats (benign dysrhythmia) and occasional palpitations (strong not fast heartbeat). I do have a slightly crooked nose, sleep with open mouths no snoring. My blood pressure is on the lower border 100/65 average heartrate 70, and I frequently experience orthostatic hypertension (light-headedness), rare but strong headaches (but i suspect that's when i drink or sleep to little, which is rarely, but usually coincide).

My neurologist is currently suspecting that lesions maybe due to thrombosis. I am just wondering if perhaps anyone could inform me, of perhaps any other causes for my lesions. I would really appreciate any additional information.

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 24, 2021

Welcome @kripto, there are several potential causes for brain lesions or white matter disease. Here is a short list from Mayo Clinic
- Brain lesions: Causes https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/brain-lesions/basics/causes/sym-20050692

Fellow members @techi @stephenluptak @ghh @uldiver have shared some of their experiences in this related discussion:
- Brain injury white matter, encephalopathy, and encephalitis https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/brain-injury-white-matter-encephalopathy-and-encephalitis

kripto, you mentioned the MRI that showed these lesions was taken 2 years ago. Have you had further testing to discover potential causes? What has led your doctor to consider thrombosis as the cause and what further testing or treatment is being suggested?

kripto | @kripto | Apr 24, 2021

In reply to @colleenyoung "Welcome @kripto, there are several potential causes for brain lesions or white matter disease. Here is..." + (show)

Thank you very much for the reply and the additional information. I have not yet undergone further testing due to having no "obvious" symptoms. The doctor mentioned the thrombosis in the sense, that I should be tested for Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) although I found a 6 year old Echocardiogram that didn't show any signs of an open foramen ovale (since then I have not yet seen my neurologist).