MRI

[reneetami]

Just a quick question. Where are these "classic"areas to see MS on a MRI ? I keep reading about "classic " area but am confused. Tried reading up and the different types of MRI , the T1, T2, Flair , ect.
My MRI just says increased signal in the periventricular and supraventricular white matter on Flair sequence. Isn't that pretty vague?

[Lulu54]

Our health pages have great information and the one on HOW MRI'S SHOW LESIONS talks about the classic presentation

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple-Sclerosis/How-MRIs-Show-Lesions-in-MS/show/23?cid=36

[Lulu54]

You can always ask questions privately but it is so much better to do it on the open forum where everyone can see it and help with the answers.  We all have different areas of expertise and reading MRI's is not one of mine.  :-)

[reneetami]

Thanks this is so overwhelming! Still not sure I understand.  Can I ask you a few questions privately?

[Lulu54]

and yes, it can be pretty vague.  the radiologists always hedge their bets when reading the films.  I just saw my latest MRI report and the rad lists a possible aneuryism in a closed loop artery.  My neuro didn't send up flags about that need for an MRA, but I will be calling him on Monday just in case notifying me was an oversight.  The radiologists seem to intentionally be non-committal.

[Lulu54]

from my joural back in 2009 - you can see a picture from my mri where the ventricular lesions are obvious.... and my neuro's explanation (copied to here)

http://www.medhelp.org/user_photos/show/68208?personal_page_id=865800

My neurologist has an affinity for analogies, and here is a good one from my recent appointment.  Do you see the Dawson's fingers in the view of my brain?  They are the lesions that run perpindicular to the ventricles and are named after Dr. Dawson, a pathologist from Scotland, who first noted the pattern of lesions back in 1916 .  

Well the good neuro doctor was looking at my films and this shot reminded him of a national geographic show he had seen on Vikings.  The Vikings would cruise through the water, come ashore at some unsuspecting spot, raid the village closest to shore, get back on the boat and sail off into the sunset.  

He says the MS vikings are much the same.  The myelin munching bunch travel through the spinal fluid and up the ventricles - they hop off the waves of CSF and come into the brain and often raid the nearest spot they can find myelin.  And this my friends, is why Dawson's Fingers are so prevalent among MS patients - you can blame the Vikings who were too lazy to wander far from the shoreline!