Question regarding MS

MRI of 6/14

Examination:  MRI OF THE BRAIN WITHOUT AND WITH CONTRAST

Clinical Information:  Multiple sclerosis.  Comparison is made to previous examination 11/24/2009 from Capital Imaging.

Technical Factors:  MRI of the brain was performed according to routine department protocal.  This included sagittal T1, axial T2 and axial FLAIR, axial diffusion, pre and post contrast axial and post contrast coronal sequences.  Contrast agent 15 ml of Magnevisit.

Findings:  There are about 30 or so perventricular and mostly subcortical white matter changes in the frontoparietal regions.  There is no significant change compared with the prior examination allowing for significant differences in the scanner technique/acquisition parameters.  There is a small focus of enhancement in the left parietal subcoritcal white matter measuring 4 mm corresponding to an enhancing plaque.

There is mild mucosal thickening of the maxillary sinuses.

Impression:   There are numerous, about 30 or so, mostly subcortical white matter changes and multiple perventricular white matter changes.  There is one plaque that enhances in the left parietal region posteriorly and superiorly.  Aside from the enhancing plaque there are no other changes compared with the prior study.

MY QUESTION IS...DOES THIS MEAN THAT THE DIAGNOSIS IS MS OR WHAT COULD IT BE?  Thanks so much!  Any help would be so appreciated.  

[Lulu54]

Hi Missy, the clinical information states that you have MS.  At least that is how I would read it.  

The location of where the radiologist sees changes are prime real estate for MS lesions.  The enhancing plaque would mean that you have  a lesion (plaque) that is fairly new, less than about 40 days old.

I'm confused that you are questioning if this is MS when the MRI report says this is the same as what was seen in 2009.  When you get the energy and time, please give us more details of your story.

be well, Lulu

[Missy1018]

Hi Lulu,
Thanks for responding.  I've been through a lot since April of 2007.  I had my appendix out and after that I had trouble with word recall.  I had a CT scan and then an MRI ~ something showed up in a Robins Virchow space and right basal ganglia (can't recall all the wording right now).  Went to my first neurologist a couple of years prior to this because I had a migraine which made one side of my face numb.  Nothing ever came of that.  He did nothing for me not even an MRI at that time.  So, after April 2007 I saw my second neurologist who also did nothing.  I researched and found one in Albany.  Went to my third neurologist.  I was shocked to find out he was trying to find out if it was MS.  Me evoked potential test was negative.  Another MRI showed lesions in the white matter.  A few months later another MRI showed more brain lesions.  Had a spinal tap and he said he couldn't ruled out MS but couldn't say it was it either.  Then he schlepped me off on an associate for migraines.  He just kept me in limbo.  So I found another neurologist who has also kept me in limbo.  A couple of months ago I got upset and asked him why he's doing nothing and not ruling anything out then I had this most recent MRI.  I haven't talked to him about it yet, I asked th tech for a copy of the CD and then I also got a copy of the written report.  Just curious if this sounds like anyone elses story or MRI reading.  Thanks for listening Lulu.  Missy