For those interested - I posted new photo's of brain

[Heather3418]

I posted some really clear pictures of a common area where lesions are seen in Multiple Sclerosis.  Although I have lesions elsewhere in the brain, the pictures I have posted are of the Corpus Callosum in the center of the brain.  A favorite area of "Mr. MS- Pac-Man" to chew away.

Though you all might be interested.  Please not looking for any sympathy here, because such is life with MS and older age.  Just thought that since these lesions are so clear, it might help give others an idea of how the lesions can be round, oval shaped or finger shaped (they are called 'Dawson's Fingers')

In case any of you are wondering, these films show I am NOT in a current attack, since the brain did not highlight after the injection of dye.  The white circular area you see is my skull.  Contained within it (thank God) is my brain.  If I were in an active attack, the outer covering of the brain would light up like a Christmas tree, which it does not.

Heather

[Sailorsong]

Oh I do agree completely!

But on the other hand if I could have matched up my scans with yours and see that they looked exactly the same I think I would be better informed as to what is going on in my head.

As things stand I still don't really have any idea of what a blackhole or lieson looks like. If I knew what they looked like I could then ask my Neurologist (who ever it turns out to be) about areas in my scans.

Dennis

[Heather3418]

As much as we all want to look at our MRI films and try to figure out if we see a lesion here or a lesion there, unless we are highly trained in reading MRI's; it's just impossible.  Sure you can see birghter spots here and there on MRI's, but they can be actual structures of the brain that are normal.  Unless we are that trained person, we can only guess.

If you are anything like me - when I first started seeing MRI scans, I thought I knew what I was looking at.  I had to laugh at myself, when my Neuro or radiologist told me that what I was seeing was normal structures.  Of course I did pick out a couple of lesions that were very plain and clear, but it's still what I call a guess.

I think one of the hardest areas that radiologists deal with are the spinal MRI's.  Those are real toughie's.  There are so many structures in the spine.

So, I try to learn my lesson and not play radiologist, when I am not qualified.  I only can give an very uneducated guess if I am reading my own, or anyone else that asks me to look at theirs.  I think it's possible to get ourselves all worked up, thinking we see something and worrying, rather than leaving it up to the experts....don't you agree?

Have a good night,
Heather

[Sailorsong]

Wow! My brain doesn't look anything like yours. :)  I tried looking at yours and mine at the same time for a comparision. Of course I have no idea of what I'm looking at so it might not be surprising. It probably would have helped if the images from my MRI had info like yours do so that I can find the same image in my scans.

Dennis

[Wobbly]

my goodness... sorry, I meant to say I'm glad your NOT in a active attack at the moment...

maybe I should go back to bed...

take care
wobbly
undx

[Wobbly]

Thanks Heather.. I find it interesting to see what lesions look like when you are Dx with MS...this is pretty clear.... I

'm glad your active attack at the moment and hope you feel good for the Christmas season.

take care
wobbly
undx

[sllowe]

This is a GREAT idea! I can't see the pics right now, but think all should look at these and see what the lesions look like, the holes and all!

-Shell

[Heather3418]

All "identifying" information on MRI slices has been removed....I was listening to your advice and it's good advice.

[Heather3418]

The Neuro told me yesterday that the "white blob" you see at the very top of my brain is an artifact.  See why I depended on her to describe to me what I was seeing?  I wouldn't know squat myself.

As to your second question, the Neuro told me that the Radiologist (based on comparison studies from last year) said that this is minimal brain volume loss, in his opinion.  So while the area looks "wide" this is what is showed all the way back in 1994.  I do show some "black holes" on other slices that are in the mid-brain.  So I have lost some vital brain issue through neuron damage.

I wasn't worried about the identifying information on the scans, actually hoping that someone will see that I am brain damaged and not want to steal my identity.  LOL  Not funny, I know.

Hugs,
Heather

[essdipity]

Thanks for posting these. While bearing in mind that trying to interpret MRIs is a perilous thing for amateurs, I do have a couple of questions.

On the first couple of images, I notice a few white blobs right on the edge of the brain, between that and the skull. I have several of these too, and since no neuro has commented on them, I've just assumed they meant nothing. Is that right, do you know?

Also, it seems that the space between brain and skull in these images is a bit wide. Am I wrong? Remember, I basically don't know what I'm talking about. But has your neuro commented on this?

You might want to import these images into a photo editor program and blur over any identifying info.

Hugs,
ess