Questions posted in the Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Question Title: MS without brain lesions

Forum: Neurology Forum
Topic: Multiple Sclerosis


I've had MS dx'd for 4 years, relapsing-remitting. I had an MRI that showed a cervical lesion, but no brain lesions. The VER was also positive. I'm on Betaseron and a lot of other meds for MS, diabetes, and heart disease. I had assumed that if I didn't have any brain lesions, I wouldn't have some of the sxs I have now like balance roblems, vertigo, tinnitus, muscle twitching on the left side of my face. My neurologist referred me for a doppler study to r/o vestibular problems causing the verigo and balance problems. It was negative.

Do you think these sxs are ms related? Might I then have some brain lesions? Is there any advantage to having another MRI?

Thank you for your opinion.

Peace
Dear Peace,

There are certain varients of MS (specifically Devic's disease) that affects the eyes (optic neuritis) and the spinal cord (tranverse myelitis). This disease or a varient of may have caused your initial symptoms; however, due to the relapsing-remitting nature of the disease, it is very possible that you have a new lesion in the brain/brainstem that could be causing your current symptoms. If your doctor is chasing other etiologies for the symptoms (vestibular etc.) and it has been some time since your last MRI, then perhaps a repeat scan is warrented to investigate the symptoms further. Discuss this with your doctor. If ever you are interested in getting an evaluation at CCF call 1-800-CCF-CARE. Good luck.

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