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- Usually, a brain lesion is an incidental finding unrelated to the condition or symptom that led to the imaging test in the first place. A brain lesion may involve small to large areas of your brain, and the severity of the underlying condition may range from relatively minor to life-threatening.
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Jan 11, 2018 · Usually, a brain lesion is an incidental finding unrelated to the condition or symptom that led to the imaging test in the first place. A brain lesion may involve small to large areas of your brain, and the severity of the underlying condition may range from relatively minor to life-threatening.
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People also ask
What is a brain lesion?
What causes a brain lesion?
What are the effects of brain lesions?
What are the symptoms of a brain lesion?
- Overview
- Possible Causes
- Care and Treatment
- When to Call the Doctor
Brain lesions are areas of brain tissue that show damage from injury or disease. The most common way to detect brain lesions is with diagnostic imaging scans. Depending on the cause, some types of brain lesions will heal on their own or are treatable. However, some brain lesions are permanent or happen for reasons that can’t be treated or cured.
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OverviewPossible CausesCare and TreatmentWhen to Call the Doctor
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What are the most common causes of brain lesions?
Brain lesions can happen with any condition or circumstance that can damage your brain. Medical conditions that can cause brain lesions include: Brain tumors (including cancer). Congenital disorders (conditions you have at birth) and metabolic disorders. Degenerative brain diseases (especially age-related ones), such as Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia, Multiple system atrophy, and Parkinson’s disease. Immune and inflammatory conditions, such as multiple sclerosis or lupus. Infections (such as from microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, parasites or amoeba). Genetic conditions such as Huntington’s disease or Wilson’s disease. Progressive supranuclear palsy. Seizures and epilepsy. Strokes or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). Injury, trauma and nonmedical circumstances that can cause brain lesions include: Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries. Medical procedures, such as surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Radiation exposure. Heavy metal poisoning or other toxins. Advertisement
How are brain lesions diagnosed?
A healthcare provider might start to suspect a lesion following a neurological exam. In this exam, a healthcare provider tests muscle strength in your limbs, checks your reflexes and determines if your senses work correctly. After a neurologic exam, the next step to detect a brain lesion is with imaging scans. Some of the most common imaging technologies that can show these kinds of lesions include: Computed tomography (CT) scan. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Positron emission tomography (PET) scans. Other tests are also possible, but these are typically used to detect or rule out another condition that could cause similar symptoms. Your healthcare provider is the best person to tell you what tests they recommend and why.
How are brain lesions treated?
Brain lesions can happen for many reasons, which means there are many ways to treat them. Your provider will base their treatment recommendations on the underlying cause of your brain lesion. Some conditions that cause brain lesions, like a mild concussion, go away on their own. If the lesion isn’t severe, treatments are unnecessary. Rest and reduced activity are often all that you’ll need. Other conditions that cause brain lesions are treatable in different ways. Infections are often treatable with antibiotics or supportive care. Growths or tumors — especially easy-to-reach ones — may be removable with surgery. Some lesions are very small and don’t cause symptoms or harm. Unfortunately, there are also times when brain lesions aren’t treatable. This is most likely with lesions that cause severe damage. The same is true for incurable conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. Because the treatment options can vary, your healthcare provider is the best person to tell you which one(s) they recommend and why. Advertisement
How can brain lesions be prevented?
Brain lesions are sometimes preventable, depending on the cause. The types of lesions that are most preventable are those that happen because of concussions and traumatic brain injuries. Treating infections in your body promptly can also prevent an infection from spreading to your brain and causing damage. Some of the most helpful things you can do to prevent brain lesions, or at least reduce your risk of developing them, include: Eat a balanced diet. Your diet plays a key role in your circulatory health. Strokes are one of the most common causes of brain lesions, and you can often prevent a stroke, or at least delay when you have one or limit how severe it is. Stay physically active and maintain a weight that’s healthy for you. Your weight and activity level can prevent or delay conditions that affect your brain, especially circulatory problems like high blood pressure. Your healthcare provider can tell you the ideal weight range for you and help you plan out how to reach and maintain it. Wear safety equipment as needed. Head injuries, especially concussions and traumatic brain injuries, are very common causes of brain lesions. Wearing safety equipment — especially helmets or head-protecting gear — is vital. Seat belts (or similar safety restraints) are also crucial to preventing head injuries. Use these whenever recommended, regardless of whether you’re at work or on your own time. Manage your chronic conditions. Many conditions that cause brain lesions are often manageable. An example of this is epilepsy, which you can often manage with medication. Preventing seizures or reducing their severity can help avoid damage to your brain tissue. Care at Cleveland Clinic Neurology Care for Adults Neurology Care for Children Make an Appointment
When should I see a doctor or healthcare provider?
Brain lesions can indicate you have a severe or even life-threatening issue. For example, a stroke is a time-sensitive medical emergency. If you think someone with you is having a stroke, call 911 or your local emergency services number. Other symptoms of brain lesions that mean you need medical attention quickly include: Sudden, severe headache, especially those that get worse over time or that don’t respond to over-the-counter pain relievers. Unexplained vision changes, such as double vision or blurring, flashing lights or spots, distortions, haze or black spots in your vision. Seizures that last more than five minutes, or that happen back-to-back without enough time to recover between them. Any loss of consciousness following an impact to your head or body, as well as nausea or headache immediately after such an impact. Altered consciousness or behavior, such as a person suddenly acting very differently than they usually do. A note from Cleveland Clinic Brain lesions can happen for many reasons, making them a very common sign of a brain-related condition. Some lesions are minor and need little or no treatment to heal. Others are more severe and may need medical care, such as surgery. Unfortunately, some lesions are severe, permanent or happen for reasons that aren’t treatable. Advances in medical imaging mean healthcare providers are better able to detect and analyze brain lesions. These imaging technologies are also key in planning out possible treatments and predicting your case’s possible or likely outcomes. Advances in medicine’s understanding of the brain also offer new possibilities for treatment or recovery from brain lesions and the conditions that cause them. Medically Reviewed Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 11/16/2022. Learn more about our editorial process.
Apr 21, 2023 · The signs and symptoms of a brain tumor depend on the brain tumor's size and location. Symptoms also might depend on how fast the brain tumor is growing, which is also called the tumor grade. General signs and symptoms caused by brain tumors may include: Headache or pressure in the head that is worse in the morning.
Feb 6, 2023 · Summary. Brain lesions are abnormal brain tissue areas that are often visible on diagnostic imaging scans. Lesions may occur due to infection, injury, or an underlying condition. Several different kinds of lesions can potentially develop. Their location and cause all have an impact on how the lesion affects your brain.
Sep 11, 2022 · What Are the Symptoms of a Brain Lesion? Symptoms of a brain lesion vary depending on the type, location, and size of the lesion. Symptoms common to several types of brain lesions include the...
May 10, 2022 · The most common cancerous, or malignant, brain tumor is the glioblastoma, a type of glioma that begins in the brain or spinal cord. The most common primary noncancerous, or benign, brain tumor is the meningioma, which arises from the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.
Dec 6, 2023 · A brain lesion is a type of abnormality in the brain, usually caused by a disease or injury. There are several kinds of brain lesions, and they can be distinguished by their symptoms, physical examination findings, and diagnostic tests.
