MRI indicating ALS

Question

My wife just received a MRI report that showed atrophy of the motor cortex.  The report states the findings are worrisome for ALS.  The doctor giving her the news was visibly upset.  We're now trying to get into an ALS clinic ASAP.  She was initially seeking help because of numbness in hands and feet, aggrivated when she sits, and weakness in the right side.  She's otherwise veryhealthy.  Is this a normal prognosis based on such little information?

Quixotic1 · Answer

Patsy makes a very good point.  I did some reading of the research literature.  Atrophy of the motor cortex in ALS is seen on pathology (that is actual physical examination of the brain)  No one has shown that it consistently shows up on MRI.  It is an area of controversy.  The current thought is that MRI appearance is not part of the diagnosis of ALS.  The atrophy seen on your wife's MRI may have been there from birth.  It may well be an incidental finding.

Her presentation with numbness certainly does not sound like ALS.

I hope you both the best.  Quix

patsy10 · Answer

I'm no doctor but everything I have read on this forum and on my own said ALS does not show up on an MRI.  I also read there are no sensory symptoms like numbness or tingling with ALS.  It's only a motor problem.  This is just what I found with reading.

Quixotic1 · Answer

I wish I knew more so I could actually answer your question, but  I don't know.  You are now doing what needs to be down to answer the question.  I do know that a lot of people raise their own worry about having ALS and then live in terror.  The doc's in the ALS clinic will be able to answer the questions.  If the appoinment is too far out, could your neurologist perform some of the basic tests like the EMG, etc?

Quix

MRI indicating ALS

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