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Multiple Sclerosis (MS) (Expert Forum)
vental medullary lesions in progressive MS
Answered by
Dr. Daniel Kantor, MD - Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Migraine (Headache), Transitional (Teen) Neurology
Neurologique
Ponte Vedra Beach - FL
Welcome to the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) forum.
vental medullary lesions in progressive MS
by jakimbo, Jan 27, 2009 03:27AM
Are ventral medullary lesions common in MS? Or if not common, not considered to be unusual?
What might be some of the complications of such lesions?
What are the most typical issues associalted with such lesions, if there is such a thing as "typical issues". (I read about problems involving vision and the optic nerve, as well as cardiac and respiratory issues.)
May this be a particularly problematic area of the brain to have lesions in.
What might be some of the complications of such lesions?
What are the most typical issues associalted with such lesions, if there is such a thing as "typical issues". (I read about problems involving vision and the optic nerve, as well as cardiac and respiratory issues.)
May this be a particularly problematic area of the brain to have lesions in.
Doctor's Answer
by Dr. Daniel Kantor, MD, Jan 28, 2009 05:48PM
, Jan 28, 2009 05:48PM
I would strongly recommend you speak to your neurologist about this lesion because otherwise you can become very scared by what you read. Below I will describe this lesion, but it is different for everyone and if you aren't having problems from it, then you are doing well and don't need to consider all the possibilities of what could have happened.
Ventral = front-side (as opposed to dorsal) medullary (in the medulla, which is the lowest part of the brainstem).
All the nerves from the brain go through a very small area called the brainstem and cranial nerves 9, 10, 11 and 12 start there as well (controlling the tongue, some neck muscles, your gag reflex and can impact speech ..., basically the lower parts of your head/neck).
60% of people start out with a spibnal cord syndrome (like tingling or weakness or the MS "hug"). 30% start out with optic neuritis and 10% start out with brainstem syndromes, like vertigo (spinning sensation), eye movement problems, balance issues etc.).
So is this atypical? No.
Should you be concerned? Any lesion is concerning, but especially in the brainstem and spinal cord because all the nerves are packed so tightly (as opposed to in the brain, where you may not notice lesions because there may be no to very few clinical outward signs).
Ventral = front-side (as opposed to dorsal) medullary (in the medulla, which is the lowest part of the brainstem).
All the nerves from the brain go through a very small area called the brainstem and cranial nerves 9, 10, 11 and 12 start there as well (controlling the tongue, some neck muscles, your gag reflex and can impact speech ..., basically the lower parts of your head/neck).
60% of people start out with a spibnal cord syndrome (like tingling or weakness or the MS "hug"). 30% start out with optic neuritis and 10% start out with brainstem syndromes, like vertigo (spinning sensation), eye movement problems, balance issues etc.).
So is this atypical? No.
Should you be concerned? Any lesion is concerning, but especially in the brainstem and spinal cord because all the nerves are packed so tightly (as opposed to in the brain, where you may not notice lesions because there may be no to very few clinical outward signs).
Member Comments (2)
by Lulu54, Jan 28, 2009 09:57PM
Is there a connection between this type of lesion and cardiac issues?
