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MRI Question...

New here and after being referred to an MS Specialist by my Neurologist, had a 2nd MRI done (all within a year) because the 1st one was done at a local place that was closing and was really poor quality. It suggested either small vessel disease or possible MS. My Neurologist said he doubted it was MS = that MRI hadn't shown classic signs, but would do LP if I wanted, so I said yes. (I've had ob/gyn's misdiagnose premalignant ovarian tumors as nothing and cardiologists say my primary didn't know anything when she sent me there, only to have open heart surgery soon after, so I err on the side of caution now)

Seven of the CSF results came back high (protein, albumin, albumin csf/serum index, igg syn rate, myelin basic protein, rbc, but there weren't any oligoclonal bands seen! The muscle/nerve tests found several areas of different neuropathies, etc and radiculopathy in my cervical spine. They also found hypogammaglobulinemia (sp?) They said I was a tricky patient and they wanted me to see the nearest MS Specialist to get his opinion. I gave him the previous scan and he said he wanted to do another, add the spine and contrast this time. I had it done last week and have the report, but am still waiting on the Specialist to call. The part I have a question about is the location of several bilateral white matter FLAIR hyperintensities they noted - Bilateral "pericallosal", "cerebral deep" and "juxtacortical" locations and that the lesions were NOT present on previous study, although direct comparison was difficult due to change in the field strength. Under the "impression", they said "Bilateral cerebral demyelinating plaques. No enhancing or restricting lesions to suggest acute flare."

The report also mentions that there was nothing to suggest acute ischemia, hemorrhage, midline shift, mass, intracranial enhancement, abnormal paranchymal enhancement, ventricular system is normal, basal cisterns are open extra-axial csf spaces are normal, pituitary normal cervicomedullary junction in normal limits, normal vessel flow voids, etc

Can someone let me know if any of the locations they found the "demyelinating plaques" are places that might indicate MS? I know there's no way to diagnose me on here - would just like to be a little better prepared in case they think it is MS after all of the results they have to go through now.

Thanks everyone - I appreciate any help in figuring out where they found the new lesions and if they're areas that might indicate MS or not? (Bilateral "pericallosal", "cerebral deep" and "juxtacortical" locations??) Thank you again so much for any help!

  1. Hi, and welcome to the community!

    I am so sorry it's taken so long to respond to your comment. We can't provide medical advice or diagnoses, for your safety. I do hope the specialist has gotten back to you by now. I think waiting for test results (or for those test results to be fully explained to you) can be terribly frustrating. What I can tell you (and I realize it's not much) is that lesions in any are of the brain or spinal column can signal some type of neurological condition.

    It sounds like you have done some research and are trying to prepare for whatever the specialist may tell you. And, I think that's a great attitude to have, regardless of whether you are dealing with MS or something else. Knowledge can be power and arming yourself with knowledge is a good way to start on any health journey.

    I do hope you will come back and update us and I am sorry I can't really offer you anymore insight into your test results.

    Best, Erin, MultipleSclerosis.net Team Member.

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