Brain MRI white spots - Quixotic1 please respond

[mgriff06]

Hi,

I went for my MRI last night and we have a family friend who is a radiologist so he met us to read it.  He said that nothing major showed.  He knew I was concerned about MS and my mother was concerned about a tumor, but assured us that nothing like that was showing up.  He did say that there was a spot on my brain - nothing specific.

Have you ever come across this?  Do you think it's pretty common?  I trust him, but feel a little silly asking.  I still have a neuro appt on Monday to figure out what, if not MS or a tumor, is causing my symptoms.  I had a CT scan 3 years ago (with no spots) and an MRI maybe 6-7 years ago (with no spots).

Thank you!

[Karen99]

Hi.  It would be prudent to get an opinion from a neurologist concerning the findings. Especially since your oncologist did not have an opinion.

If you don't mind me asking, what symptoms are you having that caused you to have an MRI?   A neurologist will base his opinion on MRI findings and symptoms, if any.  

Welcome to this forum.  I don't believe I have seen you here before?  

[ileyd]

I too just got my pathology report and my onc states he did not know what that meant.  I am puzzled as well.  My findings stated there is calcification in the falx.  A few scattered unidentified bright objects are noted on flair and t2 weighted imaging. And the Impression stated scattered deep white matter nonehancing signal changes which may be due to early small vessel disease or chemotherapy.  Should I get a neuro opninion instead of my onc.

[mgriff06]

Very much, Thank you!  Depending on what happens at my neuro appt, I will go for a second opinion with an MS specialist.  

[Quixotic1]

Hi, It all depends on what he meant by "a spot."  If he was referring to a bright spot seen on the T2/FLAIR images, then yes, I have heard of such a thing.

I wrote about all in my first journal entry, but when my right leg first stopped working, I saw an arrogant S OB of a neurologist who did an MRI.  The radiologist noted that it was normal, but also there was this incidental, UBO, that was mentioned only for the sake of being complete.  A UBO is an Unidentified Bright Object (Spot).  My old, evil neuro said it was of no consequence even though I suddenly had right leg weakness and spasticity.  He told me I was too old for MS (at 52) and indicated that he believed that I was a malingerer.

For two years I was told that repeated MRIs had this one spot, but that my MRI was normal.  I kept getting more symptoms.  When I finally saw a neurologist who could think, it became clear that this small UBO was the only MS plaque in my brain.  My spine is riddled with them.

So, I really can't speak to your case, but that is my experience with a single "spot on my brain MRI."  Many neuros seem to believe that no one can have MS with no or just a single brain lesion.  The truth is that about 20% of people with MS only have lesions in their spines.

Does this help?

Quix