Understanding Significant Findings in Brain MRIs

A brain MRI is "remarkable" when showing abnormalities deviating from normal. Examples:

1. Structural Abnormalities

• Tumors (abnormal masses)
• Lesions (defined abnormal tissue areas)
• Cysts (fluid-filled sacs)
• Hemorrhage (bleeding: intracerebral, subarachnoid)
• Infarcts (dead tissue from stroke)
• Skull fractures

2. Developmental Abnormalities

• Agenesis (absent structure)
• Hypoplasia (underdeveloped structure)
• Malformations (abnormal formation/organization)

3. Infection

• Encephalitis (brain inflammation)
• Meningitis (membrane inflammation)
• Abscess (pus collection)

4. Vascular Abnormalities

• Aneurysms (vessel wall bulges)
• AVMs (artery-vein malformations)
• Cavernous malformations (dilated vessel clusters)

5. White Matter Changes

• Hyperintensities on T2/FLAIR (age-related, demyelination, ischemia)

6. Demyelinating Disorders

• Multiple Sclerosis (inflammation, demyelination)

Interpretation requires neuroradiology expertise. Radiologists correlate findings with symptoms/history for comprehensive reports.