MRI report (limboland post)

[Cheri21157]

I was asked to show you what my mri report said so here it is. Let me know what you think.
Thanks Cheri

MRI report
FINDINGS: There is mild age appropriate cortical atrophy. The ventricles are normal size. There are multiple punctate foci of high signal intensity which appear to be aligned in the periventricular and subcortical white matter, best noted on FLAIR series 134120 image 16. The largest lesion is in the left posterior frontal white matter on image 16 and measures 0.6 cm x 0.8 cm. Although given the age of 52 years, findings could be secondary to deep white matter small vessel ischemic change, given the appearance on the MR exam and the nonspecific findings on the clinical history, possibility of multiple sclerosis cannot be excluded. Clinical follow up recommended. The lesions noted do not enhance with contrast. The region around the foramen magnum is normal. The brainstem and posterior fossa are inact. There is no abnormal in the brachium pontis. Contrast enhancement is normal.

IMPRESSION: Moderate deep white matter changes which appear to align in the periventricular spaces and given this finding the possibility of multiple sclerosis could not be excluded. Differential would include deep white matter small vessel ischemic change. Correlation with clinical history recommended

[MsWobbles]

Sounds good!!  Now you can focus on the clinical - you have MRI confirmation - or at least your MRI is not negative.  With the clinical correlation you will get your diagnosis!
And you will be . . .yet  another escaped limbolander!!  Congrats!!

WAF

[Quixotic1]

Well, well the report is very interesting.  You have multiple lesions which are described as "punctate."  This means "pinpoint."  Yet, at least one of them is quite a bit larger than that at 8mm x 6mm.  That is a significant size.

The radiologist notes that these lesions are mostly in the "periventricular" region and some in the subcortical.  The location of the lesions is "most" consistent with a demyelinating process like MS.  The other major thing that could cause lesions like this is "deep white matter small vessel ischemic change," which could be from age, high blood pressure, migraine disease or a disorder like diabetes.

The radiologist was leaning toward the need to work you up thorough for MS.  But, remember a radiologist does not make the diagnosis of MS.  MS is diagnosed only by looking at the kind of symptoms, the pattern of how the symptoms appear, the neuro exam, ruling out the MS Mimics, and looking at the MRI (sometimes along with other tests like a spinal tap, evoked potentials and such)

The radiologist is aware that your age, 52, makes MS less likely, but NOT impossible.  There is NO upper age for diagnosing MS.  My first MS symptoms appeared at age 52 and I was diagnosed at 55.

So, putting the MRI together with what you have told us, makes me want you to get as much a grip on your anxiety as possible, so that the neuro that you are going to see does not "dismiss" you as a pure case of stress and anxiety.  Depending on how your symptoms have appeared, MS is a possibility.

Now is the time to make a careful timeline.

Quix

[Cheri21157]

Thank you for your response.

[Lulu54]

Hi Cheri,
What this says is the radiologist has tossed the hot potatoe to your doctor.  It is not a clear cut case of anything and now the clinical part of diagnosing you can begin in earnest.  This is where the written timeline and history of symptoms is needed.

be well,
Lulu