Lesions shown on MRI - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

katri0311 · 04-11-2005, 05:55 PM

Does anyone know if it is possible to have lesions on the spine and not on the brain when there is MS. I have had 2 brain MRIs that have been clear so far, and they are going to do a cervical MRI next week. I have had on-going symptoms more frequently since Aug. Double left side vision all the time, blurring vision at times, left side weakness, fatigue, tremors in the arms, hands and sometimes the legs mostly left side and other difficulties. I am 42 years old. I just wasn't sure about the lesions. Doctor said that if this cervical MRI doesn't show anything they may do a spinal tap. If anyone could share any info I would appreciate it very much.
Thank you.

Jewel2 · 04-11-2005, 07:12 PM

Hi,
It sounds like your doctor is doing the standard protocol in diagnosing MS. Most of them start with the brain. You are fortunate. Some docs who find nothing on the brain MRIs tell their patients that they're fine instead of checking farther.

If both MRIs are clean it is very reasonable to do the LP. Some people have clean MRIs, but the LP picks up elevated proteins. Some neuros even do the LP when something does show up on the MRI, to confirm the diagnosis and get their patient started on a therapy.

Have you seen an opthalmologist about your double vision? If the optic nerve is causing the problem, they can usually see that in an exam. It might be more information for you.

It sounds like you have a good doctor who is being thorough.

Best wishes,
Julie

katri0311 · 04-12-2005, 04:27 PM

Thank you Julie for your response. I originally went to an othalmologist when the double vision started. He couldn't find anything wrong with the eye and did blood test for myastina, diabetes, thyroid, B-12 and so far everything was clear. So then refered me to a neuro. He found tremors on left side, left side weakness. I had no babinski, but a possitive hoffmanns reflex on both sides. He is sending me to another othalmologist and they want to do an MRI on the Cervical spine. He wants to see if there are two separate issues and then go from there. Evidently this opthamologist is very good, so hopefully he will be able to see what the problem is. It is nice to know that it seems the doctor is being very through. It has just taken so long to find out what the problem is.
Have you had a LP and what is it like? I am a little nervous about it. I have had 2 back surgerys, one L5 and 6 and C6and 7. He also thinks it could be some spinal compresion as well.
Thank you again for your response. This is scary and I think not knowing for sure is the worst part. Best wishes to you as well.
kate

Jewel2 · 04-12-2005, 04:40 PM

Hi Kate,
I know it is difficult waiting for things to get sorted out, but it really sounds like all of your docs are proceeding in the right direction. It's always more challenging to find the answers when there is more than one thing going on, such as a disk compression and whatever else is causing problems.

Are your MRIs being done in a closed machine and with and without contrast? That's the best scenario for finding the lesions. Also, I just recently read that lesions smaller than 2 mm may not show up on MRIs. So a clean MRI may not totally rule out MS.

Hang in there! I always tell my daughter, "Don't borrow trouble. Today has enough for us to deal with." And we manage to get through each day just fine.

By the way, I don't have MS, my mom and daughter do. So I haven't had an LP myself. I've heard good and negative things about the experience. From what I gather, the key is to have an experienced doctor and to stay horizontal after the procedure. My husband had one done with no troubles at all.

Good luck!
Julie