MRI COMPARISON NEED HELP!!!

[kerrtelli]

Hey everyone.  I found out this morning that the ms specialist is doing my lumbar puncture tomorrow.
I had no idea.  That made me feel better.

Back to my question.

I went through all of the MRI's I have had up to today.
I compared what they found in 2006 and the others I had in 2011.
One was in April of 2011 right after I started having problems and it was done withou t contrast.
The other was done on June 6 with and without contrast.

The doctor said the lesions were not in the right spots for MS.

So here it is:


Comparison of MRI Reports 2006 - 2011

3/06
MRI OF BRAIN
Seizure Protocol Imaging T2 Weighted machine
Findings:
There are multiple hypertensities within the subcortical and periventricular white matter which are non-specific but somewhat rounded.

4/11
MRI OF BRAIN WITHOUT CONTRAST
Diffusion weighted machine
Findings:
When compared to the prior study again noted are several scattered foci of increased FLAIR signal in the periventricular and subcortical white matter, non-specific.  
Increased FLAIR signal is also noted in the calloso-septal junction.

6/7/11
MRI OF BRAIN WITH AND WITHOUT CNTRAST
Findings:
There are at least 21 focal T2 hyperintensities involving the white matter, predominantly subcortical in the parietal and frontal lobes.  There is minimal pericallosal T2 hyperintensities.
IMPRESSION:
Nonspecific white matter T2 hyperintensities in an atypical patter for multiple sclerosis.

6/7/11
MRI IF THE CERVICAL SPINE WITH AND WITHOUT CONTRAST
Findings:
C5-C6:  Small posterior disc bulge
C6-C7:  Small posterior disc bulge
IMPRESSION:
Minimal cervical spondylosis

That's it.  I am hoping one of you "experts" LOL could look at these and tell me what you think.
I am thinking that if the MRI done in April was with contrast, it may have show a clearer picture of what was happening since that is when the flair started.  

I. Have read on the forum that the flair up shows up and then can disappear after two weeks.
I don't know if that's true but either way, please help.

Thanks again.

[kerrtelli]

I think you are exactly right!  When he was showing me my MRI's he compared them to his saying that when they normally see lesions in the septal callosal areas, which is typical for ms, they are bigger.

So I have the lesions, although few, besides the >21 in the rest of my brain, they present differently.  What the ?!#%!  Anyway, like I said, I am finishing out the testing, waiting for his final diagnosis and then moving on.

As usual, thanks for your words of wisdom.

On a good note, I have been feeling better, so after four months of symptoms, I may be pulling out of this episode.  I do take Baclofen and neurontin every night so that could be helping.  I really don't care at the moment, I'll take it.

Kerri

[metalbender]

Maybe this doc having ms might be the problem...

I wouldn't go to a doc that has ms.....That is, he might compare his ms to you and make diagnosis off of that...I don't know....Just a possibility...

[kerrtelli]

Hello.  The dr didn't say much except that if he doesnt find anything inn the LP and the VER, then I hve to see a neurologist to find out what is wrong with Mel. He also has a neurology practice but it only takes private insurance.

I already am gathering up all of my test results so I can seek out a new neuro after all is said and done with this doc.

The hard part is that this guy has a great reputation and he also has ms himself.  That's why I am so surprised at his interpretation of all of my tests.

Thanks.

[supermum_ms]

Gosh i'm with everyone on this, whats he need a neon sign or a ticker tape coming out your mouth (note i cleaned that one up)? lol I have a sneeky suspicion if the LP doesn't have the right number of o bands or none at all, this neuro may leave you still in limbo land.

Has the neuro actually said anything about what's going to happen if the LP doesn't give the results to get you a confirmed dx of MS? I really dont want you to pin your hopes of a dx on the LP, there's around 40,000 dx MSers in the US that dont have 0 bands but a lot of neuro's seem to not remember that and only dx if there are 4+ 0 bands.

Please seek out another neuro if you are left hanging, your results are stacking up in the right direction for MS, i wish in way they weren't if you understand what i mean.

HUGS...............JJ

[Lulu54]

Hi nancihelp, you might want to start a new thread with your question - many people might over look your post here at the end of this one.

We do know that brain atrophy is an important process with MS and is a predictor of long term outcomes.  Ten years is quite the stretch but we have people here who have gone longer trying to get answers.  

What you are describing in symptoms and the MRI report sound suspiciously like MS, but you obviously know how difficult it can be to get everything else ruled out.

Are you being seen by a regular neurologist or one who specializes in MS?


Feel free to answer here or do it in a new post so we can start a fresh conversation with you.

best, Lulu

[nancihelp373]

Hi,
Can i ask what you think of an MRI that states 2 small lesions and "severe" brain atrophy in the interhemispheric and parietal lobe? I have multiple symptoms that correlate with MS ... the new ones this time being numbness on left side of face and mouth and very altered gait. Along with that i have extreme heat itrouble, fatigue, numbness and tingling in lower extremities and left arm....

Would you say the chances of me having MS are good with all this? Awaiting an apt with neuro on the 25th. This has been a 10 yr at least process

thanks
nancy

[kerrtelli]

Thanks everyone.  I am so glad you gave me some advice.  That is why I posted the "actual" findings rather than my interpretation.  

LP tomorrow.  He's doing it so maybe I will be positive for what they are looking for.

Thanks again guys and I'll update tomorrow after the procedure.

[essdipity]

Hi, and more comments.

'Atypical for MS' does not mean it's not MS. There are many of us here who have had this notation but still have MS. If he wants ovoid lesions perpendicular to the ventricles, many of us would fail. That's just what's often found in MS, not what needs to be found.

This guy needs to explain to you what else could be wrong if not MS, given his examination of you, your age and other health findings (or lack thereof), and come to some conclusions. Don't let him leave you dangling, or saying come back in X months and we'll see. This is affecting your life profoundly, and now.

If he does that, gather your records and see someone else.

ess

[essdipity]

Kerri, the use of contrast is helpful but not a requirement. It's only good to determine whether any lesions are new and active. No MS lesions will appear and disappear within 2 weeks.

Since your MRI before this last one was years ago, comparing them helps with the overall picture, for sure, but doesn't show what's different in the last month or two. That's okay. You have many lesions in your brain typical for MS as far as location goes. Why your doctor doesn't acknowledge that is beyond me.

Your cervical MRI sounds pretty normal to me. Spine lesions are hard to find, and you may or may not really have any. Right now I'd be asking what he wants, a road map to MS with a ping! when he finds it? Of course it doesn't pay to be sarcastic, but I'm pretty down on this guy. In the end, he goes by some pre-set formula (all in his head and not even McD) and falls back on the no-MS finding, while ignoring what's right in front of his face.

Yes, keep going through the other tests he's authorized. Maybe they'll hit him in the face, mayble not. But make sure you have the records of everything, from the beginning, in case you need to see another neurologist.

Hang in there.

ess

[jensequitur]

What was the strength on the MRI of the cervical spine?  That can make a real difference.

I always heard that subcortical lesions in the parietal and frontal lobes were typical for MS, and especially in the corpus callosum.

[grannyhotwheels]

I'm wondering how much of a clearer picture do they need?  I'm no doctor and really don't know that much at all but I would definitely say you have MS... I'm sure others will jump on here and tell you much more about what all this is saying... Wishing you the best...

I'll be praying,
Carol