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Abigail123- MS- brain atrophy?
Hello,
I was diagnosed with MS in 2004. I have relapsing remitting but recently my doctor said I have an aggressive case of MS. (this is rather nonspecific to me the dx layman) Anyway- my MRI shows atrophy and I don't know what that means. lesions in my brainstem, lesions in my pons, lesions throughout the left and right and atrophy...? I understand what a lesion is but what is atrophy?
I was diagnosed with MS in 2004. I have relapsing remitting but recently my doctor said I have an aggressive case of MS. (this is rather nonspecific to me the dx layman) Anyway- my MRI shows atrophy and I don't know what that means. lesions in my brainstem, lesions in my pons, lesions throughout the left and right and atrophy...? I understand what a lesion is but what is atrophy?
Yes, is is correct that our brains atrophy with age normally. It is usually visible on MRI in the 60's and later, so when it is mentioned in an MRI they will note it and say something like " consistent with age" if they don't think it is a problem.
With highly sophisticated MRI/Computer analysis, computing pixel volumes and such they can detect the beginnings of "normal" brain atrophy as early as the 40's, but it is not visible on the image to the radiologist.
Quix
With highly sophisticated MRI/Computer analysis, computing pixel volumes and such they can detect the beginnings of "normal" brain atrophy as early as the 40's, but it is not visible on the image to the radiologist.
Quix
YOUR CORRECT AS WE AGE OUR BRAINS DO SHRINK TO SOME EXTENT.
FOR EXAMPLE MY MRI STATES CORTICAL ATROPHY MORE PRONOUNCED FOR AGE,SOMETHING ON THAT LINE.
T
FOR EXAMPLE MY MRI STATES CORTICAL ATROPHY MORE PRONOUNCED FOR AGE,SOMETHING ON THAT LINE.
T
Also, wanted to add that as we age, our brains atrophy, regardless of whether or not there is pathology present. I'm not sure if that makes you feel better or not, but it sounds so alarming to think that your brain is shrinking, so I wanted to get across that EVERYONE's brains shrink some, eventually. Quix can correct that if it's wrong, but that's my understanding.
E
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JUST WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME YOU TO OUR CYBER FAMILY.
QUIX AS USUAL NAILED IT.
YOUR NOT ALONE I HAVE BRAIN ATROPHY ALSO.YOUR NEURO SHOULD OF HELD YOUR HAND AND EXPLAINED THE ATROPHY TO YOU AND WHAT AREAS.
SORRY THAT YOUR NEURO DIDN'T TAKE THAT TIME WITH YOU.I HAVE SECONDARY PROGRESSIVE MS.ITS LIVEABLE AND MANAGEABLE.
PLEASE KEEP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE AS IT DOES HELP AND I WILL VIRTUALLY HOLD YOUR HAND AND HELP YOU THROUGH THIS.
HERE AT OUR CYBER FAMILY YOU'LL NEVER BE ALONE.
T-LYNN
QUIX AS USUAL NAILED IT.
YOUR NOT ALONE I HAVE BRAIN ATROPHY ALSO.YOUR NEURO SHOULD OF HELD YOUR HAND AND EXPLAINED THE ATROPHY TO YOU AND WHAT AREAS.
SORRY THAT YOUR NEURO DIDN'T TAKE THAT TIME WITH YOU.I HAVE SECONDARY PROGRESSIVE MS.ITS LIVEABLE AND MANAGEABLE.
PLEASE KEEP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE AS IT DOES HELP AND I WILL VIRTUALLY HOLD YOUR HAND AND HELP YOU THROUGH THIS.
HERE AT OUR CYBER FAMILY YOU'LL NEVER BE ALONE.
T-LYNN
Quix got to it. So I'll just say, from a newbie, welcome here. The folks here know their stuff.
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E
Hi, and Welcome to our home. I am one of the unofficial medical people here, having been a physician in my former life. I, too have MS. This is a wonderful place for getting information and support and friends.
I'm sorry you have such a question. Your neuro should be spending some extensive time with you about these findings. Have you been on an MS med since your diagnosis? Are you having more symptoms or relapses with less improvement?
The term "atrophy" means "wasting away." The brain is literally shrinking enough that it can be seen to be smaller on the MRI. This is the result of lesions that weren't able to stabilize and heal, so the nerve fibers died. When brain tissue dies the body reabsorbs it and there is nothing left in that space (like holes in swiss cheese), but the fluid that surrounds the brain. As enough little areas are reabsorbed the brain sort of "settles" and compacts down around the holes and "shrinks" in size.
Are the number of your lesions increasing? Or have you always had a lot?
I am not a neurologist and this is something your neuro should be discussing with you. Often the appearance of brain atrophy - which occurs in most people with MS eventually - also can indicate that you may be moving from Relapsing Remitting to a form called Secondary Progressive. I CANNOT say this or diagnose this online. It is far more what your symptoms, your disease pattern, and your level of disability is doing. If they aren't changing much, you may well still be RRMS. But, if problems are increasing, I would recommend that you ask your neurologist directly if he/she thinks you are moving into a Progressive Phase and might need another level of MS med.
The fact that your doctor used the term "aggressive" does suggest he is thinking about Secondary Progressive. Does any of this match what you have been going through?
I hope you stick around and let us help you sort this out and help with what you need to be asking your neurologist. Is he/she an MS specialist?
Again, Welcome and I hope others drop by with their words, Quix, MD
I'm sorry you have such a question. Your neuro should be spending some extensive time with you about these findings. Have you been on an MS med since your diagnosis? Are you having more symptoms or relapses with less improvement?
The term "atrophy" means "wasting away." The brain is literally shrinking enough that it can be seen to be smaller on the MRI. This is the result of lesions that weren't able to stabilize and heal, so the nerve fibers died. When brain tissue dies the body reabsorbs it and there is nothing left in that space (like holes in swiss cheese), but the fluid that surrounds the brain. As enough little areas are reabsorbed the brain sort of "settles" and compacts down around the holes and "shrinks" in size.
Are the number of your lesions increasing? Or have you always had a lot?
I am not a neurologist and this is something your neuro should be discussing with you. Often the appearance of brain atrophy - which occurs in most people with MS eventually - also can indicate that you may be moving from Relapsing Remitting to a form called Secondary Progressive. I CANNOT say this or diagnose this online. It is far more what your symptoms, your disease pattern, and your level of disability is doing. If they aren't changing much, you may well still be RRMS. But, if problems are increasing, I would recommend that you ask your neurologist directly if he/she thinks you are moving into a Progressive Phase and might need another level of MS med.
The fact that your doctor used the term "aggressive" does suggest he is thinking about Secondary Progressive. Does any of this match what you have been going through?
I hope you stick around and let us help you sort this out and help with what you need to be asking your neurologist. Is he/she an MS specialist?
Again, Welcome and I hope others drop by with their words, Quix, MD
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