RESULTS OF MRI EXAMINATION OF CEREBRAL WHITE MATTER HYPERINTENSITIES IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES AND SMOKERS

Abstract

This article provides information about the results of a study conducted to examine cerebral white matter hyperintensities (WMH) observed during MRI of the brain in people with type 2 diabetes and smokers.

The main research group included 150 patients of 30-60 years of age; 75 (50%) smokers and 75 (50%) patients with type 2 diabetes. 50 healthy individuals were included as a control group. Arterial hypertension was detected in 52 patients with diabetes. The images obtained using 1.5 Tesla Magnetom Aera MRI device in thin T2 TIRM mode were used for this study.

WMH were not detected in 27 (54%) of the 50 healthy individuals involved in the study. The average number of cerebral white matter hyperintensities detected in 23 (46%) patients was 1.5, and the maximum size was 1.2 mm. It was found that the number of white matter hyperintensities(foci) in smokers and patients with diabetes was slightly higher than in healthy individuals. The results of the study show that proper treatment of arterial hypertension in patients with diabetes can prevent an increase in the number of white matter hyperintensities. It is known that an increase in the number of foci and their tendency to merge may lead patients to suffer serious pathologies including early cognitive decline.