Hyperintensitet

Hyperintensitet is a term used in medical imaging, particularly in MRI scans, to describe areas that appear brighter than surrounding tissues on certain image sequences. This increased brightness, or signal intensity, can indicate a variety of underlying pathological processes. The most common type of hyperintensitet seen on MRI is white matter hyperintensitet, often referred to as "white matter lesions" or "white matter changes."

These white matter hyperintensities are typically found in the deep white matter and periventricular white matter of the brain. Their appearance can vary depending on the specific MRI sequence used. For example, they are often hyperintense on T2-weighted and FLAIR (fluid-attenuated inversion recovery) sequences. The cause of white matter hyperintensitet is not always clear but is frequently associated with aging and cerebrovascular disease, such as small vessel ischemic changes. Other potential causes include inflammatory conditions like multiple sclerosis, demyelination, metabolic disorders, and certain genetic conditions.

The clinical significance of hyperintensitet depends heavily on its location, size, number, and the patient's overall clinical presentation. Small, scattered white matter hyperintensities in an elderly individual may be an incidental finding and not necessarily indicative of significant disease. However, extensive or strategically located hyperintensities can be associated with cognitive impairment, motor deficits, and other neurological symptoms. Diagnosis and interpretation of hyperintensitet require careful consideration of the imaging findings in conjunction with the patient's medical history and neurological examination.