can lesions disappear?

[helen41]

I have had a number of vague symptoms over the years, all of which I think point toward a diagnosis of MS. That seems to be the one disease that covers it all. In 1997 I had a spell of being uncoodinated and fatigued. At that time the MRI showed "2 foci signal rt periventricular white matter". I gradually (mostly) recovered, returned to work,  and they decided it must have been viral encephalitis. In 2005 I had another MRI as I was losing balance, esp when hot. That one found "nonspecific hemispheric white matter lesions plus a solitary lesion in basal ganglia on the right" but said it didn't look typical for MS. For the last few months I've again been exhausted, off balance and my legs cramp and ache. I had an MRI that found "numerous punctuate T2/FLAIR hyperintensities in the subcortical regions of both cerebral hemispheres" and again they say there is no evidence of demyelination. I am so frustrated- I just seem to be getting worse and worse. Does it make sense that they saw a lesion before and now nothing? Could it have healed, or do they sometimes miss things on MRIs? Thankyou so much

[HVAC]

I have had lesions disappear. They can also turn from enhancing lesions to black holes.

A lot of damage is in the gray matter not the white matter so it does not show up on the MRIs at all.

Alex

[helen41]

thankyou, thankyou, thankyou (one for each). That link explained it very well. There's so much info to sort through. I've spent hours on this site. It's great

[scheath35]

I have this same problem. In fact I am going to see my 4th! Neurologist today. I had lesions on my very first MRI, but not the 2nd or 3rd. I believe all of my MRI's have been order for stroke protocol.
It is so hard to find a good doctor, that will listen to you. I have been told MS, but more often complicated migraines (with no headache). I am really hoping to get some answers soon and I hope you do too!

[sllowe]

Hi Helen41,

Were any comparisons done w/this imaging? Even if the facility you had the MRIs in changed, each place can compare one set of imaging to another. If you think they didn't, please ask for it - it's not an unordinary request, and one your Dr. or you can do.

We have an excellent write-up on disappearing lesions and the possibilities (see link below). You are correct in your thinking, that there may in fact be areas of remyelination so the machine didn't pick up on them, or the strength of the machine could be a factor. If the machines are the same strength, the 2nd scenario may not be as much of a possibility.

I think you will find this a good educational read:

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple-Sclerosis/Lesions---Can-they-Disappear-A-Hypothetical-Case-Overview/show/566?cid=36

In the end, MS is a clinical diagnosis. So, a good Dr. will not rely on imaging alone. Your whole history and additional testing will help the investigation into a culprit.

Thank you for joining us! Hope to see you around!

-Shell

[marymoto]

hi helen ms lesions can disappear in the beginning stages when ms is just beginning. lesions may come and go. i had lesions in 2006 which disappeared.also it depends on the mri machine and the protocol of the mri. it has to be ms protocol.persevere and ask if it was the proper ms protocol and ask the strength of the mri machine.some people have ms and have no lesions.