The median lobe is located between the ejaculatory ducts and the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body) in the central zone of the prostate. Hypertrophy refers to an increase in the size and number of cells in this part of the prostate. When there is overgrowth of the prostatic median lobe into the bladder, it can cause bladder outlet obstruction and related storage and voiding symptoms. While minimal hypertrophic changes may not cause symptoms, progression of these changes (also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) may cause lower urinary tract symptoms including needing to urinate often (especially at night), difficulty starting to urinate and having a weak urine stream.

“Milk of calcium” is a term to describe the condition when calcium deposits form inside a kidney cyst. These findings are likely benign (non-cancerous), but rarely, a simple cyst can enlarge, cause a dull pain in a person’s back or side, or become infected causing fever.

Myelomalacia means softening of the spinal cord, the major nerve “highway” between the brain and the rest of the body. This is typically caused by insufficient blood supply to the spine, which arises from trauma or severe degenerative changes from aging wear-and-tear on the spine.Myelomalacia is a serious condition and can lead to neurologic symptoms such as muscle weakness, numbness, incontinence, and difficulty breathing if very severe. Surgery may be required to stabilize the area of the spine and restore normal blood flow to that region.

Meningiomas are the most frequent primary brain tumors, however, most are benign (non-cancerous). A meningioma is a tumor that forms on membranes, called meninges, that cover the brain and spinal cord. The underlying cause is not well known but exposure to ionizing radiation is the most important risk factor for meningioma formation. Most asymptomatic (do not cause symptoms) meningiomas remain either the same size or grow very slowly over a long time. Sometimes a meningioma, because of its size and/or location, can cause symptoms including visual changes, extremity weakness, confusion or seizures.

Microangiopathy is a term that is used to describe changes to the small blood vessels in the brain. The cause is not completely understood, but could be the result of plaque buildup and hardening (atherosclerosis) of the small blood vessels nourishing the brain. This is the same process that can narrow and damage heart blood vessels.

Brain tissue tends to shrink (atrophy) at the rate of about 0.2% per year from the age of 30 and then accelerates after the age of 60, due to genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Volume loss which is out of proportion to age may represent a pathologic process or risk factor for future decline in cognition. There are currently no established guidelines for investigating or monitoring this condition; however, you could consider repeat MRIs to monitor progression or stability of this finding.

Gyri are ridges on the surface of the brain. Mass effect is compressing/pushing of the adjacent gyri from an adjacent mass.

Meningoencephalocele is an abnormal sac of fluid, brain tissue, and meninges (membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord) that extends through a defect in the skull. The condition is typically congenital (present at birth) but can infrequently develop in older individuals. The underlying cause of the condition is uncertain. Hydrocephalus (a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid inside the brain) and abnormalities of the eyeball and tear duct have been clinically associated with meningoencephalocele.

Neoplasm (also called tumors) refers to an abnormal mass of tissue that forms when cells grow and divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Neoplasms may be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). Benign neoplasms may grow large but do not spread into, or invade, nearby tissues or other parts of the body. Malignant neoplasms can spread into, or invade, nearby tissues. They can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems.

Osteomas are benign (non-cancerous), slow-growing bony tumors involving the base of the skull and paranasal sinuses. Causes of osteoma development include congenital, inflammatory, or traumatic factors, but in most cases the cause is unknown.