Lesions on The Brain

Lesions on the brain can be described as abnormal structural change in the tissues of the brain. It can be confined to just one area of the brain or it could be present in more than one areas. Even the size of the lesions can vary from small to large in every individual cases. In some cases, brain lesions is a harmless condition and in others it can be a life-threatening condition.

Causes and Symptoms

Lesions on the brain are mostly formed when the tissues of the brain are damaged by some infection or injury or harmful chemical exposure. A traumatic injury to the skull, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease can cause extensive damage to the brain tissues. Brain abscesses caused infections in other parts like the sinus or ear and infectious diseases like encephalitis can have this kind of effect on the brain. Abnormal growth of clusters of veins in the brain also known as arteriovenous malformation affect the normal blood supply to the brain tissues and thus the lesions may form. Lesions in children are found due to a congenital brain abnormality called hydrocephalus. Brain cancer or growth of benign brain tumor in the brain can be responsible for this kind of complications. In many of the cases, the exact cause behind the lesions cannot be identified.

The symptoms depend on the size, location and underlying health condition of the patients. Some patients even do not show any symptoms at all and the lesions are discovered by chance. Headache, neck pain, dizziness, mental confusion, seizures, loss of memory, vision changes, sudden change in behavior are some of the easily identifiable signs of brain lesions. Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever are also a few of the accompanying symptoms.

Treatment

MRI and CT scan are the two laboratory tests that help in diagnosis of lesions. MRI images show the brain lesions as dark or light spots that look quite different from the other normal tissues of the brain. The treatment is based upon the causes and symptoms of the brain lesions. If there is no symptoms, then the doctors prefer to keep a close watch on the size and location of the lesions with the help of regular check ups. In other cases, the main aim of the treatment is to get rid of the symptoms and improve the quality of life of the concerned patient.

If it is the result of some infections, then antibiotics are prescribed to control them. Other medicines are also administered to improve the response of the immune system and provide relief from the symptoms. When some malignant tissues are detected on the lesions of the brain, then they are destroyed with the help of chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Depending on the size and location of the lesion and the health condition of the patient, surgical options may be availed for the removal of the lesions. In many cases where medicines fail to show any results and surgery is not possible some alternative methods of treatment like physical therapy has proved to be beneficial in keeping the symptoms in check.

There are so many different possible causes that can lead to lesions on the brain that its diagnosis and the treatment becomes slightly difficult. However, if you or any one close to you have been diagnosed with brain lesions, no need to panic immediately. Discuss all your doubts with your doctors and provide them with details about the medical history of the patient. This will help them to determine the best possible treatment for the patient. They will also give the right guidance on how to cope up and live with lesions on the brain.