Need help with new MRI - things have changed

[angeline59]

I'm still in limbo land (since April 07), but have new findings on my annual MRI. I hope someone can help me interpret - I've been unable to decipher the medical journals I find online. I'm a 49 y.o. female with MS symptoms, although my neuro prefers to call it 'chronic inflammation of the brain'. (Sigh). Anyway, here's what's new on the MRI ...

The lateral ventricle, third ventricle and the fourth ventricles are slightly enlarged. Slight prominence of sulci is noted. There are small areas of increased signal noted in both basal ganglions, left frontal parietal and left temporal lobe on flair images measuring 4 mm in size. The differential diagnosis of small lacunar infarct or MS plaques should be considered. These areas don't enhance on contrast study.

Help, please?? .... My neuro talks to me like I'm a kindergartner and couldn't possibly grasp anything beyond a pat on the head !!!

Thanks!Q

[Rena705]

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[Rena705]

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[Rena705]

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[Rena705]

Hello Angeline...I have noted that you have not stated the sort of MS symptoms that you have been suffering from and that would be the first place to start.  If you can tell us what sort of problems you have been having we may be able to get you started on your journey to a diagnosis for these symtoms ok?

I have googled 'CHRONIC INFLAMATION OF THE BRAIN" and the following is what I have come up with:

Vasculitis means inflammation of the blood vessels, it could be anywhere including the brain. Cerebritis refers to inflammation of the brain.
Both can be seen in LUpus. Symptoms include mental derangement, seizure, multiple small strokes. High sed rate is non specific and your ANA is probably negative (if it is borderline, or low titer).
The diagnosis of vasculitis is made by angiogram, that is by injecting contrast to the blood vessels in the brain and see if the blood vessels are abnormal. If it is, then the test is positive, if it is negative, it does not help as there are cases of angiogram negative vasculitis. Treatment is with steroids.

For your information, Lupus can often be a mimic disease for MS.  I am not saying that this is what you have as we here are not physicians but I wanted to give you something to start with and this is what I have found.  Has your doctor made any inferences towards Lupus?  If you google "chronic brain inflammation" there are several articles regarding it if you wish to look further.

Please don't be alarmed at this because as I said, we here are unable to make a diagnosis but I would discuss with your neurologist the possibility that he speak in a layperson's language so that you are able to further investigate possibilities.  I would be very interested in hearing what your doctor has to say...has he seen this report or the MRI himself?  Sometimes it is very helpful if you take someone with you to your appointment with this doctor.  Some of these dr.'s are very clinical and don't even realize that we don't understand his medical jargon.  I hate to say it but it might be beneficial to take a man with you as well...dr.'s have been known to treat women as though we wouldn't understand anything he says and like we have no brain and will only really communicate with another man.  It might be worth your while to give it a try.  

Please let us know what you find out ok?  Were you referred to this neuro by a family doctor...if so, a letter should be sent to the referring doctor so you may get more information from the family doctor.  If you have more questions, please don't be afraid to ask ok?  We are here to help you and the people here are wonderful and are here 24/7.

Lots of Hugs,

Rena

[wingnut19]

Hi

I have no idea how to interpret these findings, but I just HAD to comment about your Neuro's "chronic inflammation of the brain" thingy....

CHRONIC INFLAMMATION OF THE BRAIN????   WTF??  Sorry....

You're absolutely right when you said, "Sigh"....GEESH!!

I think your Neuro has chronic inflammation of the mouth....

IMHO!
Tammy