MRI

Just curious if anyone could help me with my mri results: Within the deep white matter of the frontal lobe superiorly at the level of the corona radiata, 5mm round focal area of abnormal bright T2 signal along with two adjacent tiny focal areas of even small signal abnormality demonstrated in the deep white matter of the right frontal lobe superiorly. The findings are non-specific. Possibility of demyelinating process.  
Everything else on the MRI results are normal, is this a typical result of MS?  I have numerous symptoms that I have been seeing my dr. for over a year with no answers, I go Tuesday for a spinal tap, are they painful?  Just need some reassurance.  Thanks

[Heather3418]

I just typed you a long reply and pushed "post comment" but see that it did not post....so dern...let me try this again.

I am glad that you are having the spinal tap.  I think your doctor is looking for more signs of MS.  He will be looking for inflammation in the spinal fluid and oligloconal (sp) banding, so typical of MS.

The tap is uncomfortable.  You can ask for sedatives before the procedure if you are uneasy.  They give you a small injection at the puncture site of the tap and this feels like a bee-sting.  Then you will feel pressure.  Like someone is taking their finger and pushing very hard on that spot.  But remain still, it only takes a few short moments to collect the fluid.  After the procedure, make sure you lie flat for as long as possible to avoid the dreaded and common, "tap headache."  Since they removed some of your spinal fluid, the body needs some time to make more, to even out the pressure in your central nervous system.  When you get home, take it easy.  If you feel any headache, go lay down.  In fact, if you can lay down most of the day after the tap, do so.  Especially with Thanksgiving being a couple days after that.  That can be a very busy day.

If you have a headache that will not go away, call your doctor and tell him.  He can do what they call a "blood patch," (not as scary as it sounds) and that will stop the headache immediately.  I think they ought to do these are routine, after each spinal tap, but who I am...just another patient out there...anyway....lay flat as long as you can after the tap.  Take it easy on Tuesday when you get home...period.

I would guess that your doctor is trying to find more evidence in the spinal fluid to diagnosis you.  If he finds oligloconal (sp) banding, this is suggestive of MS.  Your MRI is certainly positive.  Did he tell you if your physical Neuro exam was abnormal also?

The spinal tap isn't the most fun in the world, but try to remember while you are having it done, that it can provide the doctor with a world of information that can be very beneficial to a diagnosis....so you can get back to the job of living.  Worrying about all this medical stuff can drive a person nuts.  Take me for instance...just kidding...I am a little goofy naturally, but doctor's tend to make me a little cranky.  Have had my fill after 12 years with MS....

Best wishes to you and your family.  Keep us posted about how you do and what the results are.

Heather

[sllowe]

Hi Teresa,

Heather has given you so much good information, I only have a small add.  Re: oligoclonal bands, if these are present in the spinal fluid and not in the blood serum, the findings make a demyelininating or inflammatory disease MORE likely and that they can confirm it is of CNS origin.  This does not suggest MS, unless all of those "other" diseases and MS mimics have been ruled out.  

At this time, MS is still a clinical diagnosis.  There is not one test in and of itself that tests positive for MS.  

Once the spinal tap findings are in.  Read the report.  They should have findings from your blood serum AND  the spinal fluid.  

Wishing you all the best on Tuesday,
Be well,
SL

[Heather3418]

I couldn't have said it better myself.....

Your explanation of the bands, is right on and makes it easy for Teresa to understand....

[renee80]

question for heather : my mri results are very similar and 1 neuro part os ms community said didn't look like ms, 2 dr associates said didn't look like it and optic-neuro said didn't look like much either...hmmmm this sucks

[Heather3418]

Renee Sweetheart,

I know that MRI's can look the same, but your symptoms, you physical examination, etc., all have to go along with the results of your MRI.  MS is not diganosed, based soley on MRI findings.

But....I want to hear more about your symptoms, your MRI and your exam.  This board runs so fast, I can't keep up with all the posts, so  "forget" important information  So tell me more Renne...so I can try to help.

Happy Thanksgiving hon, Heather