MRI results - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

stephthepeach · 04-17-2008, 12:25 PM

Happy Thursday Everyone! Thank goodness it's almost Friday! I wanted to give everyone the results of my MRI. It's "normal".
Any of you get a result of possible MS or probable MS?
On Monday, I kept calling trying to get the results. I didn't know if I should call the neurologist (who referred me for the MRI) or my primary care physician (who referred me to the neurologist). Anyway, I finally got them from my PCP and was told the MRI was normal. I told them I wanted a copy of the results. When I went to pick the results up, I didn't get the full report but only the impression..."no mri findings to explain the clinical presentation of bilateral arm numbness" and "left maxillary sinus mucus retention cyst" (yummy!).
Part of me is relieved but honestly, part of me is really confused!!!!!!!

I've read that b/twn 90-95% of people w/ MS will have a MRI w/ bright spots. Will the neurologist see the films or will he rely on the interpretation of the doctor who made the report?
UGH! What is wrong with me????

hotflash · 04-17-2008, 01:59 PM

Just a quick note to let you know that if you go to medical records they will only give you the paper results. You have to go to the mri or x ray department to get the films. I wish you the best of luck.

hotflash

Bearygood · 04-17-2008, 02:19 PM

steph, I've never seen the statistics you're citing but it's more likely that the phrase "at the time of diagnosis" should be added. There are a lot of people who do not present lesions initially. It's important to know that the disease activity causes the lesions. And, sometimes it takes them a while to show up. In order for a diagnosis, most specialists will go by the McDonald criteria -- look for the updated 2005 criteria. All this means though is what is necessary for most specialists to render a formal diagnosis. So while none of us can say that what you're experiencing is or is not MS, you should go have an appointment with your neurologist to follow-up. I don't know what other tests you've had done but they might want to do an LP if you haven't had one already.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephthepeach

Happy Thursday Everyone! Thank goodness it's almost Friday! I wanted to give everyone the results of my MRI. It's "normal".
Any of you get a result of possible MS or probable MS?
On Monday, I kept calling trying to get the results. I didn't know if I should call the neurologist (who referred me for the MRI) or my primary care physician (who referred me to the neurologist). Anyway, I finally got them from my PCP and was told the MRI was normal. I told them I wanted a copy of the results. When I went to pick the results up, I didn't get the full report but only the impression..."no mri findings to explain the clinical presentation of bilateral arm numbness" and "left maxillary sinus mucus retention cyst" (yummy!).
Part of me is relieved but honestly, part of me is really confused!!!!!!!

I've read that b/twn 90-95% of people w/ MS will have a MRI w/ bright spots. Will the neurologist see the films or will he rely on the interpretation of the doctor who made the report?
UGH! What is wrong with me????

teri62 · 04-17-2008, 07:40 PM

Hi.

I am new to this site. I have been waiting for a diagnosis since January. I had brain scan, which showed 30-40 lesions. I had an LP that came back normal. My neurologist wants to get a second opinion. If this MS specialist she refers me to agrees with my neurologists finding then I will be started on meds. I've been tested for lymes, lupus, aides, what else causes lesions? I've also had several blood tests.

tarapags1107 · 04-18-2008, 05:19 AM

hey steph-
i was diagnosed 2 wks ago formallly with MS and all my MRI's are normal (head, c-spine,t-spine,and l-spine).... my spinal tap was positive on 2 occasions and I've had relapses according to my MS specialist. I thought a "relapse" meant you had to completely recover your symtoms, but I was wrong. I had bilateral lower leg numbness since june/july 2007 that has never completely subsided and then an episode of left leg heaviness/weakness and left elbow dullness. So based on my findings (even with normal MRIS twice) she diagnosed me and I just started on therapy. Some other diseases that can cause lesions are CNS vasculitis, Behcet's, and devics syndrome I believe. I was tested for everything, so she made the diagnosis by a process of elimination and clinical results/findings. She explained to me that its more and more common now not to have lesions in up to 10% of cases. (It used to be 5%)...... good luck, hang in there...okay? Also, if you haven't allready, make sure you get an MRI of your cervical spine and thoracic spine (lesions can show up in here and not in your brain which I'm assuming they did)....... keep us updated on what your neuro said.... take care hun.

Tara