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- 1 John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, NSW
- 2 Monash University, Melbourne, VIC
Open access:
Open access publishing facilitated by Monash University, as part of the Wiley ‐ Monash University agreement via the Council of Australian University Librarians.
We thank and acknowledge Darshan Ghia, Bernard Yan, Mark Parsons, Andrew Wong, Neil Spratt, Ben Clissold, Anna Holwell, Henry Ma, Claire Muller, Kenneth Butcher, Candice Delcourt, Teddy Wu, and Anna Ranta for their contributions as the expert panel and their review of the manuscript. We also thank and acknowledge Andrew Lee, Rebecca Moore, Gregory Carter, and Kichu Nair for reviewing the manuscript.
No relevant disclosures.
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Abstract
Introduction: There is a paradigm shift in our understanding of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) found on brain imaging. They were once thought to be a normal phenomenon of ageing and, therefore, warranted no further investigation. However, evidence now suggests these lesions are markers of poor brain and cardiovascular health, portending an increased risk of stroke, cognitive decline, depression and death. Nevertheless, no specific guidelines exist for the management of incidentally found WMH for general medical practitioners and other clinicians ordering brain magnetic resonance imaging scans for diverse clinical indications. Informed by a literature review and expert opinion gleaned from stroke neurologists, medical and imaging specialists, and general practitioners, we present our consensus statement to guide the management of incidentally found WMH in adults.
Main recommendations: When incidental WMH are found on brain imaging:
Changes to management as a result of this consensus statement: A brain health opportunity. We consider the discovery of incidental WMH on brain imaging to represent an opportunity to investigate for common cardiovascular risk factors and to optimise brain health. This can be commenced and monitored by the general practitioner or physician without delay in waiting for an outpatient neurology review.