Overview

Have you ever severely hit yourself in the knee or the elbow and found your skin discolouration from that region? These are called lesions. They occur when a part of the skin tissue is probably caused by injuries and infections and require medical attention. Similarly, brain lesions or lesions inside the brain refer to damage to the brain tissues. Brain lesions are not normal and call for immediate medical help and treatment. Caused by injuries, infections, or potential problems with the immune system, Brain Lesions can disrupt the smooth and healthy functioning of the brain.

**MRI of cerebral lesion located in the middle line parietal -frontal area. Image showing 5 cm of a meningioma in subcortical area.**

What Are Brain Lesions?

Brain Lesions are the abnormal changes and damage that occur inside our brain and affect overall functioning. These lesions indicate underlying health problems with the immune system and can cause disruptions in the normal structure of the brain.

Brain Lesions require immediate medical attention by an expert team of neurologists because these can deeply hamper your brain's cognitive function, sensory perceptions, motor function, and other crucial aspects of functional areas of the brain.

Here are different Brain Lesions that can occur in a human’s brain:

Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs): This vascular entanglement develops inside the brain, disrupting the blood flow carrying nutrients and oxygen circulation to the brain.

Cerebral Palsy: It is a disorder in the brain that completely impacts normal functioning, such as maintaining balance and coordination. Cerebral Palsy develops from childhood and is caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain.
Brain Abscesses: A Brain abscess is an accumulation of pus-filled swelling in any brain region caused by a fungal attack on the brain tissues.

Multiple Sclerosis: It is a disabling disease where the immune system attacks the protective covering of the brain's nerve fibres and causes damage to the central nervous system. It can further cause damage to the nervous system as a whole.
Cerebral Infarction: Cerebral Infarction, or Ischemic Stroke, occurs due to the disrupted blood flow to the brain because of the blockage inside the veins.

Causes Of Brain Lesions

Any type of damage to the brain causes brain lesions. These lesions can be a potential output of:

Congenital Disorders
Seizures
Metabolic Disorders
Epilepsy
Brain Tumours
Age-related degenerative brain diseases
Immune and inflammatory conditions
Infections caused by fungi, bacteria and other parasites
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

Other possible causes of Brain Lesions are:

Radiation Exposure
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Intense Metal Poisoning
Radiation Therapy or Chemotherapy

Symptoms Of Brain Lesions

Here are some of the most common ways by which one can detect the presence of Brain Lesions and seek timely medical advice.

Frequent Headaches
Extreme stiffness in the neck
Seizures
Fever
Changes in moods, personality, and behaviour
Nausea
Vomiting
Difficulty Concentrating
Difficulty while moving
Pain in the eyes
Vision Changes
Lack of appetite
Memory loss or confusion

Treatment For Brain Lesions

Identification and analysis of Brain Lesions play an important role in appropriate diagnosis and treatment planning. Your healthcare provider will first conduct a neurological exam wherein he will check the muscle strength in your limbs, your reflexes, and other crucial aspects of the brain's normal functioning.

Step 1: Diagnosis

He will further employ some imaging tests to help identify the presence of lesions in your brain. Here is the list of 3 most commonly performed imaging tests that can help rule out the presence and exact location of the brain lesions:

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Incorporates a magnet and radio waves to generate large and clear images of the inside structure of your body to treat different medical conditions.
Computed Tomography (CT) Scans: Incorporates powerful X-rays to create a detailed image of the bones and the surrounding soft tissues.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan: Uses an injectable radioactive chemical called radiotracer to generate vivid images of your organs and tissues at work. This imaging test is performed to diagnose the early signs of cancer in the body and the brain.

Step 2: Treatment Planning

Treatment varies based on the underlying cause of a Brain Lesion. Depending upon the origin, the treatment of a Brain Lesion may require a comprehensive approach, where your healthcare professional may

Leave some Lesions untreated for it to go away on their own
Surgical removal of the lesions (Stereotactic Needle Biopsy)
Perform Chemo and radiation therapy for cancerous lesions
Medications to fight infections

When To Consult A Doctor

You can also get in touch with the expert neurology doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

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Conclusion

Brain Lesions, depending on their origin, require a comprehensive approach and treatment planning. A person should be well-versed with the causes, symptoms and treatment options available to seek timely medical advice from their healthcare professionals.