What is T2 Hyperintensity and T1 Hypointensity

[Lindz28]

I had an apt. today with the nurse practitioner to get my documentation underway for my next MRI's. I wasn't sure if I had my old MRI paperwork and asked for it just in case I didn't. I do not remember any of this from almost a year ago and trying to make heads or tails of what it means it is so frustrating. I know I was probably told everything but easily forgotten when a person is told they have MS. NP said today I may have a more aggressive form of MS, which I am not clear what that may mean, and Copaxone may not be working and I may need the oral meds. But will not know anything until I do the MRI's.

Okay so looking back at MRI I do not understand what T2 hyperintensity means and what T1 hypointensity means. It says there are right pericallosal ovoid foci which demonstrate T1 hypointensity consistent with more sever demyelination.

Obviously it says a lot more information but I am getting hung up on what the T1 and T2 mean. Any help would be appreciated in trying to help me understand all of this, I have tried looking it up and it only leaves me more confused and with no answers.

One more question.. how long has it taken some of you to fully come to terms with everything? It has been almost a year since finding out and it seems like one step forward two steps back. I want to be okay and be positive but it just isn't working out well. I feel like I have no life anymore. I just have no energy anymore and seems like new things just keep popping up. I feel like I should be feeling better about it by now but I just am not as much as I try to pretend I am.

Thank you all!!!

[Lindz28]

Clarifying

So just to clarify these results were from my brain MRI almost a year ago. I re read my post and it is all over the place. I have a lot swirling around my head right now I guess. Plus a lot of homework which I haven't gotten to because I am obsessing about this.

[Lindz28]

Anybody have any helpful advice? I have been obsessing about this for days.

[Pipes123]

It has taken me the full two years since I was diagnosed to get used to this. I only know I'm 'used to it' because I just met a new specialist. She was very kind, patient, took a lot of time to explain things and had these sad puppy eyes when she looked at me. I found myself being more cheerful and upbeat about my circumstances because I didn't want to bring her down.

A year ago? I was still trapped in the shock and horror of having this disease at all. And getting used to pain, fatigue, other symptoms, none of which are ok to have in an absolute sense. I still miss not taking daily pills, not having pain, feeling healthy.

T1 and T2 are technical terms. There are conversations here on this board that explain them. If you search, you could find them. Search for mri, or just read here and you will find out more than you ever wanted to know.

[Kimba22]

Hi LindZ28,

Hyperintense (more intense): If an abnormality is bright (white) on MR, we describe it as hyperintense.

There are several types of MR sequences/images, each of which have unique characteristics and are good for different purposes or in combination can help discern tissue composition. The two most basic image types are T1 and T2 images. T1 or T2 images are obtained by manipulating two basic parameters, TR (repetition time) and TE (echo time). TR, repetition time, is the time between one RF transmission, or excitation, and the next. TE, echo time, is the time between the excitation and when the coil is programmed to receive the resultant signal. https://sites.google.com/a/wisc.edu/...mr-terminology

Coming to terms with this disease is a constant work in progress for me. Almost daily there's something about this disease that frustrates me. It's hard to be positive when you are constantly dealing with symptoms or setbacks.

I think one of the hardest things I had to overcome was that I wasn't diagnosed sooner. My PCP dismissed my symptoms for years. I used to find myself playing the game, "If only I'd been diagnosed sooner." I've finally comes to terms that nothing will change the past and it's more important I focus my thoughts and energy on what I need to do to get through each day.

[IceStein]

To give context to the terms, on a T2 hyper intense means that it's an area of active inflammation. The hyper intensity means that it's an area of excess free water.

The hypo-intensity on the T1 indicates this is an area I've heard called a "black hole". This is an area which is non-recoverable.

[palmtree]

A while back this question appeared on translatorscafe.com. At the time I knew the answer but don't remember now. If you want to look there I was a translation from Spanish to English in the medical field.

As I recall, these T1 weighted and T2 weighted hyperintensities refer to the MRI machine's capacity and are not indicative of your diagnosis. It's definitely not worth obsessing about. If your doctor told you that you have an aggressive form of the disease THATs worth obsessing about.

I hope you find the right DMT for you. I was in the same situation and my neuro put me on Tysabri. You might ask your doctor about that.

[KatieAgain]

The Spring 2014 Newsletter put out by the VA has an informative article about understanding your MRI results.

Here is the link: http://www.va.gov/MS/newsletters/Spr...Newsletter.pdf

[Lindz28]

Thank you all for your replies. It was all very helpful, I tried looking it up but was not able to understand what was being said, it was too much medial terminology for me. All of you helped me understand it a bit better. One question about this thought, are all black holes bad or does it depend on location?

Well the Dr. said she is not sure about aggressive MS yet until we do MRI's but said it sounds that is more likely the case. I know some things aren't worth obsessing over and I have actually been doing pretty good about not looking stuff up anymore until I saw my old MRI's and heard the word aggressive MS. I am very obsessive compulsive so it just takes me over sometimes.

Also, I have read the oral meds have worse side effects than the injections? If Copaxone isn't working couldn't I just try another injection before the oral meds? I know I am thinking to far ahead right now but I am curious in general how that works.

Thank you all again!!!