Minimal gliotic foci in white matter

I had an MRI done yesterday to check for progression of a Cerbellar Tonsillar Ectopia which was noted on previous MRI back in Sept. of 2010. I have many symptoms which never seem to go away. My most severe ones are chronic pressure headaches, vertigo, tingling of my face, arms, hands, gait problems, cognitive problems, and chronic fatigue.

I picked up my MRI report today and it's noted on the report that in the cerebral hemispheres minimal gliotic foci are noted in the deep white matter.

I'm just wondering what this is and if I should be concerned?

Thanks

[Dr Sharma]

MS is a chronic demyelinating disorder where the disease phase is characterized by active phase and remissions. It has multiple symptoms and signs and is a diagnosis of exclusion. The symptoms of multiple sclerosis are loss of balance, muscle spasms, numbness in any area, problems with walking and coordination, tremors in one or more arms and legs. Bowel and bladder symptoms include frequency of micturition, urine leakage, eye symptoms like double vision uncontrollable rapid eye movements, facial pain, painful muscle spasms, tingling, burning in arms or legs, depression, dizziness, hearing loss, fatigue etc. The treatment is essentially limited to symptomatic therapy so the course of action would not change much whether MS has been diagnosed or not. Apart from clinical neurological examination, MRI shows MS as paler areas of demyelination, two different episodes of demyelination separated by one month in at least two different brain locations. Spinal tap is done and CSF electrophoresis reveals oligoclonal bands suggestive of immune activity, which is suggestive but not diagnostic of MS. Demyelinating neurons, transmit nerve signals slower than non-demyelinated ones and can be detected with EP tests. These are visual evoked potentials, brain stem auditory evoked response, and somatosensory evoked potential. Slower nerve responses in any one of these is not confirmatory of MS but can be used to complement diagnosis along with a neurological examination, medical history and an MRI in addition, a spinal tap. Therefore, it would be prudent to consult your neurologist with these concerns. Hope this helps. Take care.

[sleepypea]

Dr. Sharma,

Thank You so much for the information. I will make an appt with my NS today.