Anyone know anything about results for MRI's

With a family history of MS, my 13 year old daughter already has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy (mild); seizure disorder, asthma, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis; Psoriatic Arthritis; Psoriasis, Eczema, non-specific auto immune disorder, moderate hearing loss in left ear and profound hearing loss in right ear, among other issues. Her most recent MRI states: Findings: The adenoids (adenoids) (which have been surgically removed along with her tonsills) are mildly enlarged and are compressing the posterior nasopharynx. Cerebrellar tonsills terminate at level of foramen magnum and posterior fossa is unremarkable in appearance. Corpus callosum and midline structures are unremarkable. The pituitary gland has a complex border.There is increased signal intensity within the left mastoids compatible with inflammatory changes or reactive fluid. Pons and midbrain are unremarkable. There is no evidence of supratentorial mass lesion. Ventricles are normal in size. There is no restricted or acute infact.Thin FLAIR signal were obtained through the temporal lobes. Areas of non-specific T2 hyperintensity in the white matter of the subcortical frontoparietal lobes as well as the posterior lobe of the left temporal region. There are questionable small punctate T2 hyperintesities in the right basal ganglia and left thalamus seen on axial images but not confirmed on coronal images.
IMPRESSION: 1. No evidence of focal abnormality involving the temporal lobe. 2. Several non-specific, punctate T2 hyperintensities as above.

[HVAC]

Hello I know you are scared. Your child has many medical issues.The findings really can not stand on there own they have to be interpreted by a Neurologist in relation to other findings. Anything told to you on the internet would not be totally accurate. It is important to have Doctor go over these with you in person to explain the findings, for you to engage in questions back and forth, and to decide what if any course to take.

We as persons with MS or going through diagnosis are here to support you through your journey. I am sorry you and your daughter are having to go through this.

Alex

[COBOB]

Given some of the other problems (CP and other autoimune problems,) I would not be surprised to see punctate T2 hyperintensities within the parenchyma of the brain.  The T2 hyperintensities are in very specific areas of the brain (frontoparietal lobes, right basal ganglia and left thalamus) but the not in the Corpus callosum. Since the T2 hyperintensities are not "periventricular" or in the area of the  Corpus callosum, that tends to point away from MS.

Cerebral palsy has been shown to cause T1 and T2 signal changes in the brain. Most of the cases I saw were attributed to hypoxia or anoxia with loss of axons (gliosis.)  Many of the change are grey matter changes and changes in the "infratentorial brain."   The infratentorial brain includes the thalamus and basal ganglia.

I hope some of this helps.  You should discuss the results with your neurologist, but I would not be surprised if they attribute the T2 signal increases to the CP.

Bob

[Nascarangel]

I have gone through three different neurologists in 13 years of her life and they just keep telling me not to worry. It is completely normal MRI. It is a comparable MRI to the one that my sister had when she was first diagnosed in her early twenties with MS. The neurologists tell me it is impossible for a child to get MS at such an early age and they practically dismiss my concerns. That is why I have resorted to the forums, I am desperate for another point of view. We have had several abnormal MRI's in her life, this was just her most recent one.

[COBOB]

It is not impossible.  There are now pediatric MS Centers of Excellence in the US.  The areas of the brain that are showing T2  hyperintensities are not typical MS "hot spots."  Early disease in MS tends to show in the cord and around the vetricals.  The lesions lend to be lager, oviod (Dawson's Finger Lesions.)  There are several causes for hyperintensities besides demyelinating lesions.  

As I said previously, T2 hyperintensities are not uncommon in patients with CP.    You could look to one of the Pediatric MS Centers to have the case reviewed. The closest to you is:

Center for Pediatric-Onset Demyelinating Disease at the Children's Hospital of Alabama

CHB 314K
1600 7th Ave South
Birmingham, AL 35233
Center director: Jayne Ness, MD, PhD
Contact person: Sarah M. Dowdy, MPH
Phone: [phone]
Web: www.uab.edu/cpodd/

Bob