ct scan and MS

[midori_sabz]

i went to ER yesterday becuse i had numbness in my leg and arms thet did ct scan and blood test .can ct scan shows MS lesion?the ct scan came normal.

[Lulu54]

In my diagnostic process I did have a CT scan.  Why?  The doctor wanted to be sure that my problems were not being caused by something like a cancerous growth or that there was something else lurking that he had overlooked..

It was for his own peace of mind that he had these done- he said he didn't want to overlook any possiblity, even though just an hour ealier he had given me the dx of MS, based on my MRI, clinical exam, and LP results.

[jujuminx]

Good to know about CT being ordered in emergency rooms.  I guess they reallly aren't looking for MS per se just following up on patient complaint that of something that might be seen in that situation.

In the almost 20 yrs of my numbness/tingling and with all the tests they ran on me, a CT was never one of them.

Julie

[COBOB]

A CT scan "may" detect demyelination, but not likely.  CT can detect the things an ER would be worried about (swelling of the brain, tumor, bleed, subdural hematoma, etc.)  ERs do not usually consider MS to be an emergency, so I think it would be rare that an ER would order an MRI.  

They might order an MRI for ascending paralysis (GBS) or something similar.  If your problems continue, I agree with the other comments, see a neurologist.

Bob

[Sumanadevii]

We do know a clean ct scan is meaningless.  Yes, it can and does at times pick up lesions but not always.  Even if picked up, they surely could not tell by the scan if they were MS lesions.

Ya need an MRI.  Find a good neuro and go from there.

JMO

[essdipity]

Julie, this is almost standard practice in ERs. They are not trying to detect MS lesions at that point; they are just dealing with a patient with numbness of unknown cause.

I think it would be rare to do an MRI then as it's such an expensive procedure, and unless experts at this were there to analyze the results, it would be a waste.

My only beef with this is that so many patients are left dangling with normal CT scans. Why aren't they told to see a neuro if the condition persists?

Maybe Quix will see this and comment, since what I've said is only from my own perspective.

ess

[jujuminx]

Never heard of using a CT scan to detect MS lesions. MRI's are the standard protocol.

Julie

[essdipity]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

A CT scan is useless in identifying signs of MS. You really need an MRI for that, but first you need to go to your primary doctor for a physical exam and testing. He or she can refer you to a neurologist if that seems indicated.

Meanwhile, you can read up on MS. A good place to start is our Health Pages. Look on the far right column of your screen for a place to click. You'll find lots of helpful information there, written in language everyone can understand.

Feel free to ask here about anything that occurs to you, and best of luck in getting to the bottom of this.

ess