Question Title: Spinal cord lesions

Forum: Neurology Forum
Topic: Fibromyalgia

Posted by CCF Neuro MD on August 13, 1997 at 20:52:46:

In Reply to: Spinal cord lesions posted by Marilyn on July 18, 1997 at 11:03:22:

: I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. During the process of finding
out what was causing my problems--tingling, numbness, muscle tightness
and pain--I had MRI's of my brain, thoracic spine and cervical spine.
I also had a spinal tap, evoked potentials, and blood tests. The only
abnormalities found in these tests were 2 spinal cord lesions. One was
on the thoracic spine and one was on the cervical spine. I can understand
that my fibromyalgia can be attributed to the symptoms that I have but
I can't help but wonder why I have the spinal cord lesions. Is it possible
that people who are healthy and have no symptoms could also have some
demylination on the spinal cord?

Dear Marilyn:

While it is not normal to have lesions in the spinal cord, such lesions can, at times, be asymptomatic. As you mentioned, such lesions are most likely to be demyelinating, although other etiologies such as vascular, traumatic, metabolic/toxic/nutritional, neoplastic, “vasculitic”, or infective should always be considered in the differential diagnosis. Demyelination is not synonymous with multiple sclerosis (MS). A significant number of individuals get single or multiple demyelinating lesions in the spinal cord or brain as a one-time event after some viral infection.
I hope this answers your question.
In case you live near the Cleveland area and want a second opinion, any of the neurologists at the Mellen Center for MS would be glad to see you. The Mellen Center is one of the largest institutions in the US dedicated to MS research and to the multidisciplinary care of MS patients. It is affiliated to the Cleveland Clinic. To make an appointment you would want to call (216)444-8600, or (800)223-2273.

This information is provided for general medical educational purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options of your specific medical condition.

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