Al Olama et al reported an MRI score for identifying patients at risk for dementia. This can help to identify a patient who may require more aggressive management. The authors are from the University of Cambridge, Newcastle University, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, University of Graz, Medical University of Graz and King's College London.
Patient selection: cerebral small vessel disease
Parameters:
(1) microbleeds
(2) lacunes
(3) white matter hyperintensities (using Fazekas score)
Parameter
Finding
Points
microbleeds
0
0
>= 1
1
lacunes
0
0
1 or 2
1
3 to 5
2
>= 6
3
white matter hyperintensities
0 (absence)
0
1 (punctate foci)
1
2 (beginning confluence)
2
3 (large confluent areas)
3
total score =
= SUM(points for all 3 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 7
• The higher the score the greater the risk of dementia.
• Other factors (age, sex, education, vascular risk factors) also need to be considered.
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