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Understanding my MRI results.

Hello,

My name is Janet. I am new to this site.

I have Mixed Connective Tissue disease with overlap conditions. I have had chronic pericarditis for
a year and have been treated with steroids, and other meds to combat this problem, but nothing
is working up until now.

I was also screened for MS, I get a lot of numbness and tingling in my arms, legs. Constant spasms
everywhere, mostly in my legs. So an MRI was done about 6 months a go and found a pineal cyst 1.5 cm.
No white matter was found at this time.

Recently I have had blurred vision and terrible headaches. I am also experiencing very painful legs, my
ankles hurt constantly. The weakness is getting worse and walking is difficult. So this MRI was
run about 2 months ago to look for vasculitis. I asked my Rheumy to call me if there was anything
different on this MRI. He didn't. I requested a copy of the MRI and I would like so advice on what
it means.

I really appreciate any advice or what this actually means. Thanks
Jan

Findings: A few scattered foci of T2 white matter hyperintensity a nonspecific. By far the largest
is localized right lateral posterior frontal lobe measuring up to 9 linear mm. A sequela of
vasculitis would certainly be in the differential. Apart from this dominant focus, the smaller foci
are within allowable normal limits.

Within the pineal region is a 11 mm round focus showing thin peripheral enhancement, likely
complex pineal region cyst.

Impression: Nonspecific white matter foci outlined above. Although vasculitis is in the differential
for nonspecific white matter change, there is no other overt evidence for interracial vasculitis.
Best Answer
Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi there. 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. You also need to be checked for small vessel ischemic disease, cerebral ischemia etc for these MRI lesions. Therefore, it would be prudent to consult your neurologist with these concerns. Hope this helps. Take care.
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Avatar universal
Thanks very much. I will take your advice and speak to my doctor about running
these tests.
Take care,
Jan
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