Cervical versus Thoracis lesion in MS...Which is more prevalent?

[Sarahsmom46]

Does anyone know or have access to research that shows whether cervical or thoracic lesions are more prevalent in MS?  For example, I hear many people talk about cervical lesions, but I don't hear much about people have MS lesions in the thoracic spice?  What percentage of cord lesions are thoracic?  

I am about to go through another MRI on a 3T this time because they saw some lesions in my thoracic spine.  I have tried to research this on the web but mainly read about cervical lesions.  This is making me optimistic that my lesion(s) may be from something else and that I can get back into my denial mode about this being MS. However, the doctor did tell me that they were not seeing this as a herniated disk or degenerative in nature.   Denial is a bad thing sometimes, but if anyone know the answer to this I would very much appreciate it.  My research had me going in circles.  

Thanks and I hope you all are having a nice Sunday evening.  

-Julie (Sarahsmom)

[Lulu54]

Sorry Julie, but a quick search by me turned up nothing useful.  

here's hoping the snow doesn't mess up your week!
Lu

[ChunkyMonkeysMommy]

I can't exactly answer your question, but I can tell you that I do have a lesion on my thoracic spine, as well as the lesions on my brain. I know that's not what you wanted to hear. I'm sorry. I wish you the best of luck in getting your answers!

[doublevision1]

In one of my MS books, can't recall which one, it talks about this and states that cervical spine lesions are more common than thoracic.  However, I had also read that t-spine lesions are apparently harder to get decent images of (not sure why, perhaps because of the motion in the chest from breathing?); this may be why you have been scheduled to have the next ones done on 3T, to get the better pictures.  It is great that this is available to you.  If I can find that reference I'll pass it along to you.

My neuro is certain I have thoracic spine involvement due to the location of my MS hug when I had it, however no t-spine lesions have ever appeared on my MRI's.  And remember, MS may not be the worst case scenario; it is because of the degree of my spinal and optic nerve involvement with little brain involvement, that has my neuro now thinking NMO.  From what I've read, I'll take MS over that any day.   As if I have a choice!

[Sarahsmom46]

Your responses were pretty interesting.  I did read that cervical lesions are more common as well and that was what got me thinking about how many people with MS spinal lesions have at least one in their thoracic spine.  The doctor indicated that the one they saw was in my upper thoracic.  I agree that there could be an explanation for this besides MS and I'd gladly take that dx over MS too.  

I would be interested to see how many of our members have thoracic spinal lesions. DB, maybe we can do another poll - :)

Thanks!

Julie

[Suzie9]

I read cervical lesions were meant to be more common. I think I have one in cervical and thoracic but would need to double check that.

[PastorDan]

I've had no spinal investigations at all as of today, but elsewhere I've written that, by what I can find online, two things satisfied all my symptoms on their own: MS or brain tumor.  Some choice, eh?  Since then, I've had 3 CT scans and an MRI that all said no sign of tumor.  It could still be a combination of ailments looking like MS when combined.  If it is MS, it is nontypical in a number of ways.

[Quixotic1]

Cervical lesions are far more common, but thoracic lesions are very hard to get imaged, likely because of the smaller size of the thoracic spinal cord and the increase of fluid (CSF) around it.

In any diagnostic workup where MS is under consideration, if the brain MRI does not provide enough evidence to make the diagnosis, then it is mandatory to image the spinal cord.  Some people have brain lesions only, the largest group has both brain and spine lesions and a minority (something like 20%) have spinal lesions only.  I have one small brain lesion and 6 spinal lesions evenly distributed between the brainstem, cervical and thoracic cord.

Spinal cord lesions narrow the diagnostic possibilities, as many of the mimics, or things that cause lesions in the brain, do not cause lesions in the cord - like migraine disease or age (as in "age-related lesions" or "Oh, everybody has those")

The spinal cord gets progressively smaller as it descends the canal because nerves are leaving it at all levels.

Quix

[Sarahsmom46]

So, then is it true that thoracic lesions are not usually found in MS?  I am a little confused about what they actually saw in my t-spine MRI and what may or may not actually show up when I have the repeat MRI next week.  

Can an MS lesions be found in the thoracic spine only without being found in the cervical spine?

Thanks for the explanations and the shared experiences.  I am hopeful that we will understand if this MRI will help explain the problems with my legs, as I don't have very many brain lesions.

-Julie

[Lulu54]

Julie,
Just remember that the number of lesions really doesn't matter - it is WHERE any one particular lesion is located that can cause problems.  I have a brain full of lesions as you have seen from my pictures, but pretty quiet symptoms because they are not hitting critical spots.   - L
PS - I don't know if I have thoracic lesions or  not - I have had the hug and have ongoing unexplained pains.  

[Quixotic1]

No, thoracic lesions are common in MS, but of all the possible locations, they are the least numerous.  Lesions can be in any place exclusively.

Yes, you can have thoracic only lesions.  Lesions in the spinal cord can be invisible to the MRI.  Someone with an MS hug has a thoracic lesion whether it shows up or not.

Q