Main findings

1. Chronic infarct in the left basal ganglia
   • This means there has been a previous small stroke in a deep part of the brain on the left side.
   • “Chronic” means it is old, not recent.
2. Chronic ischemic changes around both ventricles
   • These are changes in small blood vessels of the brain, often associated with long-term high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, kidney disease, or increasing age.
3. Cerebral atrophy
   • The report describes mildly prominent brain grooves and fluid spaces, interpreted as brain-volume loss.
   • The radiologist calls it “age-related,” but at age 50 it is sensible to have a neurologist or physician correlate this with symptoms, medical history, alcohol use, nutritional status, and vascular risk factors. It does not by itself diagnose dementia.

Reassuring findings

• No acute infarct: no evidence of a new stroke on this scan.
• No brain hemorrhage.
• No mass/tumor-like lesion.
• No midline shift or other major pressure effect.
• Brainstem and cerebellum appear normal.

What to do next

• Blood pressure
• Fasting glucose/HbA1c for diabetes
• Cholesterol profile
• ECG and, when appropriate, heart and neck-vessel evaluation
• Whether antiplatelet or cholesterol-lowering medicine is appropriate. Do not start aspirin or other medication without the treating clinician’s advice.