MRI: high density area around nerve

[Duckling13]

Hello and thanks in advance for reading. I Apologise if I come across as a bit of a fraudster.

I recently had an MRI scan to determine the cause of one sided hearing loss. It was inconclusive but the audiologist found an area of high density around the nerve in my ear and has refered me to neurology with the words "possible M S".

I am still waiting for an appointment but have worried myself stupid.

I have had several symptoms that I have now found out are possible MS (and possibly nothing).  On numerous occasions a feeling like a really bad wasp sting that is not really possible to precisely locate, in my neck/ shoulder blade which has caused me to drop things. Also incredible tiredness (but I have 4 children so I expect it), not being able to get my words out (after being eloquent all my life) and slurring and feeling a bit drunk. I also have an uncomfortable but not painful feeling in my left foot, similar to pins and needle and extreme heat.

I have read too much and Googled too much and would like to hear any opinions from people with MS as to how it started if you wouldn't mind please.  I'm feeling a little afraid if it is MS and also scared that maybe I'm just a crap mother if it isn't!

Are there any other causes of the high density around nerves?

[jensequitur]

Maybe it was hyper-intensity, not high density? Hyperintense refers to an amount of signal detected by the MRI. It means that the area has some damage that causes the tissue to be wetter than normal. This could be from a stroke, or from disease activity.

MS does indeed attack the myelin sheath that surrounds the nerve. This will affect the conductivity of the nerve, and sometimes causes signals to cross if it's close to another nerve.

Definitely wait for the neuro to come up with something. He'll explain what the MRI findings are. To me, the worst part was not knowing what was going on. Good luck!

[Duckling13]

Ok. Thanks. I guess I'll just wait for neurology now.

Apparently it isn't a tumour so that's good. Does M S attack the nerve sheath (may have got the terminology a little wrong)? That is apparently what the concern is. I was a bit surprised and getting used to my strange sounding new hearing. I didn't really take it all in.

Sounds like I probably don't have MS but thank you all for your time.

[HVAC]

An otolaynologist is a specialized ear doctor most ENTs are.

Alex

[Duckling13]

Thank you!

[supermum_ms]

I couldn't find "otolorynologist" in the medical directories, the closest spelling i can find is 'otolaryngologists' which is an ear nose and throat specialist, which would fit your situation....  

"Otolaryngologists diagnose and manage diseases of the ears, nose, sinuses, larynx (voice box), mouth, and throat, as well as structures of the neck and face.

The ears
Hearing loss affects one in ten North Americans. The unique domain of otolaryngologists is the treatment of ear disorders. They are trained in both the medical and surgical treatment of hearing loss, ear infections, balance disorders, ear noise (tinnitus), and some cranial nerve disorders. Otolaryngologists also manage congenital (birth) disorders of the outer and inner ear."
http://www.entnet.org/content/what-otolaryngologist

Cheers........JJ

[Duckling13]

Thanks again. What is an otolorynologist? My ENT department has discharged me. I have a hearing aid now and am waiting for my neurology appointment still.

[HVAC]

I had hearing loss. It turned out to be my stirrup bone. I had it taken out and replaced with a plastic one. I can hear now. There are many reasons for hearing loss. I would go to an otolarynologist first.

Alex

[supermum_ms]

To be honest I don't think I've ever seen 'high density around the nerve' mentioned on an MRI report in relation to MS before, so i've no idea sorry.

Your saying the hearing loss has been gradual, which is typically the way it happen's without it having anything to do with MS, so I think just about any of the  known causes would be possible but your audio report should have had a lot more information than just that sentence your focused on.

I would suggest you have a look at the basic facts about gradual hearing loss and don't think about MS at this stage, MS could be a total red herring!

Cheers........JJ

[Duckling13]

Thank you for your kind and reassuring words. I'm feeling a bit more positive today and your reply has helped dramatically! It's the wait that's driving me mad.

You are most probably right and I haven't got MS. Any idea what else causes high density on an MRI?

Re my hearing loss; It has been pretty gradual and I think I read that it would happen faster with MS. Is that true?

[supermum_ms]

Hi and welcome,

I was so taken back by the word 'fraudster', although i think you just don't want to be bothersome to people with MS.........please don't worry about needing some support and asking questions :D that's why we're here!

Firstly, seriously try to keep open minded because it's more likely not going to turn out to be MS and you'll have been worrying your self stupid about a condition you don't actually have.............breath!

Hearing loss is one of the 'exceedingly rare' MS issues, so whilst MS is one possible explanation, it's actually not the 'most likely' explanation, over and above all the other more common medical explanations that could also cause it.

Within the small number of pwMS who do have hearing loss, only a fraction of those MSers had their hearing loss as a first symptoms of their MS, statistically MS is very low on the list of potential causes of your hearing loss.

I don't think reading all the unique stories about how peoples MS started, would be relevant to you in general, the visual issues (Optic Neuritis, Nystagmus etc) are typically recognised as the more common 'first' symptom of MS that lead to a person being diagnosed but audio would be the rarest of the rare first symptom, which would make finding other's with similar stories a bit difficult.

I would recommend you take a step back for the moment, if reading about MS is causing you to be more anxious and not providing any reassurance, it would be in your best interest to stop googling if it's feeding the anxiety and make a point to focus on being open minded as to what medical condition might have caused this, as it truly may have nothing to do with MS and you'll have a better idea of what's going on when you've seen the neurologist...

Hope that is of some help :D

Cheers..........JJ