When a person’s brain is injured or diseased, brain lesions often appear. Doctors detect these lesions using diagnostic imaging. These lesions may heal naturally, or the doctor might need to treat them. The cause determines the treatment. Unfortunately, some lesions cannot be treated or cured. 

What is a Brain Lesion? 

A brain lesion is an area of the brain that has sustained damage. The effects vary by lesion severity, location, and underlying cause. These lesions are visible on imaging tests and result from a brain injury or medical condition. Strokes are a commonly known type of lesion. These areas can alter brain function, leading to symptoms ranging from confusion to weakness. The following brain lesion overview will answer many questions people have. 

Lesions and Normal Communication

The brain communicates with itself and other parts of the body through electrical and chemical signals. A lesion interferes with regular communication, and the severity of the damage determines the level of disruption. Doctors use the symptoms to narrow the location of the lesion. 

The Cerebrum

If lesions are located in the frontal lobe of the cerebrum, the individual may struggle to learn new things and have problems with visual-motor function. They may find it challenging to focus and make plans, and they might be agitated and experience mood swings. Frontal lobe lesions can lead to weakness or paralysis in an area or side of the body, and some people struggle to get words out, while others lose their sense of smell. When a person loses their sense of taste or finds their parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems disrupted, the lesion is likely located in the insular lobe, which lies below the frontal lobe. 

When the temporal lobe, located on the sides of the head, has one or more lesions, the individual may struggle with aphasia and have difficulty understanding words. Auditory problems challenges are also common. Lesions in the parietal lobe at the top of the head can lead to agraphia (inability to write) and numbness or tingling. The inability to do math (acalculia) and the inability to recognize one’s own hands and fingers are also signs of lesions in the parietal lobe. 

Occipital lobe lesions can lead to vision loss or complete color blindness. The occipital lobe is found at the back of the head. Visual agnosia and face blindness are other signs of lesions in the occipital lobe. 

The Cerebellum

The cerebellum is found at the bottom rear of the skull. When a person has cerebellar lesions, they may have difficulty getting the muscles used for speech to work correctly. They may become dizzy or have tremors and shaking. Double vision and other vision issues may occur with cerebellar lesions. Some individuals become paralyzed. 

The brainstem joins the brain and spinal cord. Heart rhythm problems might be a sign of brainstem lesions. The same holds for breathing, blood pressure, and eye alignment issues. They may be related to brainstem lesions.

Brain Lesion Causes

Several factors may cause a brain lesion. Anything that damages the brain could lead to lesions. Brain tumors, congenital disorders, and degenerative brain diseases are three causes of lesions. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease are both associated with brain lesions, as is brain cancer. Any person with an immune or inflammatory condition, including lupus, should be monitored for lesions. Genetic diseases, seizures, and epilepsy are other causes of brain lesions, and any person who sustains a concussion or traumatic brain injury is at high risk of lesions. What many people don’t realize is that specific medical procedures, like chemotherapy or radiation, could lead to the development of brain lesions.

Treating Brain Lesions

When a person learns they have one or more brain lesions, they may panic. There is no need to. Doctors typically discover these lesions during a neurological exam. They test the individual to ensure their reflexes and sensors are working correctly and that they have muscle strength in their limbs. If there are any concerns, they order Imaging scans.

Imaging scans that may be used to diagnose a lesion include CT, MRI, or PET. Doctors might also order other tests to rule out other potential causes of the symptoms. Speak with the doctor to learn which test they are ordering and why they think it is necessary.

Once it has been determined that the individual has brain lesions, the doctor develops a treatment plan based on the underlying causes. Some lesions heal naturally without medical intervention, such as those seen with concussions.  Other lesions require medical intervention, such as antibiotics or supportive care. If the lesions are due to a growth or tumor, surgery will be performed to remove them. Doctors will take a wait-and-watch approach with tiny lesions that are not causing symptoms. At times, the brain lesions cannot be treated. They often progress and cause severe damage.

Preventing Brain Lesions

People often ask whether they can prevent brain lesions. It depends on the underlying cause. Steps a person may take include eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly.  Maintain a healthy weight, and wear safety equipment when playing sports. Individuals should always wear a seatbelt when in a car, as car accidents can easily lead to traumatic brain injuries and lesions.  Anyone who has a chronic condition that could potentially cause one or more brain lesions should ensure they work with their doctor to manage the condition, reducing their risk of lesions and other complications. 

When to See a Physician

Anyone who believes they are having a stroke should visit an emergency room immediately. However, at times the symptoms aren’t as severe. Any sudden, severe headache is cause for concern, particularly if it worsens and OTC pain relievers don’t help. Any vision change should be investigated by a physician, and back-to-back seizures or those lasting five minutes or more warrant an immediate trip to the doctor. 

Whenever a person loses consciousness following a trauma or experiences nausea or a headache following the trauma, they should be seen for a possible concussion or other brain injury. When a person shows signs of altered behavior or consciousness, a doctor needs to determine the cause. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to the brain. Don’t delay, as many brain lesions are easily treatable, and rapid treatment leads to better outcomes.