What can cause non specific white matter changes on an MRI besides MS?

Question

I had an MRI yesterday because I've been having double vision. The only thing I've been told so far is that they found non specific white matter changes. I don't see my neurologist until the end of this month and I would like to research what can cause this. I know MS can and I've looked that up already. Anyone know other things that can cause this?

Answer 1

The MRI is an extremely sensitive instrument and it is capable of imaging structures and offering findings that are simply variations of normal. White matter changes on the MRI are not uncommon in apparently healthy individuals and such change has also been thought to be related to microvascular disease (poor circulation in the tiny blood vessles although even when this is present there does not appear to be an increase in the risk of stroke). Multiple sclerosis does not typically present with diplopia (double vision) so I would interpret your MRI as a variant of normal unless the neurologist says otherwise. It is always best to take the actual MRI films to the neurologist as it is very helpful to look at the films after examining the patient. Good luck.