Walt47 wrote:Hi Everyone! I am new here having just been diagnosed yesterday with A.D. This was in my radiology report and am wondering if someone could help me understand what it means. The Dr. I saw only told me I have iA.D and prescribed some drugs with terrible side effects. Here is part of the report. The rest was all normal: The structures of the middle line, calloso region pineal and interhemispheric cynicism do not alter. The ventricular system quietly increased by volume, the furrows have prominent subnumeracnoideic spaces by subcortical cortical atrophy.
This was translated from Spanish so I hope it makes sense to you.
Thank you for your help and consideration, Walt47
Hello Walt 47!
I am sorry to hear that your doctor gave you such important news with so little explanation! If it's possible, I would suggest that you ask for a follow-up appointment to get some of your questions answered. Since this was a radiology report, I am guessing that you had an MRI of your brain. It looks to me (and I am NOT a doctor but have read more than a few MRI reports!) that the first line is good news: "The structures of the middle line, calloso region pineal and interhemispheric cynicism do not alter" might not have been translated exactly, but seem to refer to the corpus callosum, a thick band that separates the left from the right side of your brain, and helps the 2 sides "talk" to each other. Sometimes
in brain injuries such as strokes or trauma, one side of the brain swells and actually moves the corpus callosum off center a little in what is called a "midline shift." The radiologist seems to be saying he does not see this "altered" at all. "Interhemispheric cynicism" is a strange translation, but I would guess he is ruling out any pressure from one hemisphere (side) of your brain against the other.
The report uses the word "atrophy" which means some brain structures are smaller than expected. This is sometimes seen only in one or two areas in early Alzheimer's, especially the hippocampus, which helps us form and find memories. The terms "subcortical cortical atrophy" appear to be referring to either atrophy in some of the higher thinking areas of the brain (the cortex, or cortical area) and the sub-cortical area, where connecting "fibers' carry information from one area of the brain to another.
What got translated as "prominent subnumeracnoideic spaces" sounds like the term "subarachnoid" Here's a definition of that space I found: "The space between the arachnoid membrane and pia mater that is filled with cerebrospinal fluid and contains the large blood vessels that supply the brain and spinal cord."
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/subarachnoid-space People who have falls or other traumatic brain injuries sometimes develop "subarachnoid brain bleeds". My layperson's understanding is that this space is outside the brain's key structures, but carries blood and cerebral spinal fluid which is important for your brain's health.
The report also days the "ventricular system quietly increased by volume"; I think that might translate as the "ventricular system is greatly increased by volume". we have 4 ventricles in our brains: I think of them as pockets that carry spinal fluid around for your brains. If they have "greatly increased" it may be tied to the areas of "atrophy" in the ares that help us think. As one area shrinks some, the ventricles expand to take us the extra space.
Still a lot of confusing terms!! I think what is most important for you, my friend, is to have someone who can answer the questions that you need right now, and those that would help you in your every day life. What is on an MRI scan does not decide how you live your life. It may be that those pills he prescribed won't have bad effects for you. It may also be that you can make some changes in your diet or exercise or how you get help with finances or other areas that will make it much easier to deal with this diagnosis.
I hope you feel comfortable going to whatever local agency is in charge of health services and asking for some help. If you feel comfortable telling us what country or city or region you live in, we might be able to find some places that are ready to help.
There may be someone on this forum who is fluent in Spanish who can reach out to you with more support. But please know that you are very brave to take the step to ask questions and want answers. We agree that you deserve them!