My MRI Impression ?MS

[LisaSpainhour]

My MRI impression:
1. Partial Empty Sella
2. Nonspecific periventricular white matter changes. Findings consistent with hx of migraines. However, a demyelinating process or vascular etiologies cannot be excluded.

It states in the report also that they are multiple foci of signal abnormality in the periventricular white matter.

If you were reading this report what would you tell the patient?

Everything I look up leads to MS or Alzheimer's. Just want your opinion and I know you do not have my medical history so just by this report along. Thank you

[LisaSpainhour]

My daughter started her shots Monday and so far no side effects.  She chose the daily one comopanze  

[LisaSpainhour]

I mentioned about the Empty Sella but they all say nothing to worry about.  although my labs came back and my thryoid was high 7.85 and has never been before.

[LisaSpainhour]

Thanks alot for the info.  I just got back from the Neuro Opthamalogist and he said he was just to check if any optic neuritis which he ruled out and said probably not MS.  My daughters optic neuritis showed up on the MRI i guess because the Dr said he saw that and 21 spots.  Don't understand why they can dx her so quickly and mine states white matter changes in perventicular but not sure but looks like MS.  So I guess I will do the spinal tap even though her Dr states they can be neg and u could still have it so I was questioning why do it but I do want to know why my MRI has changes which one in 2002 was normal.

[Quixotic1]

Hi, Lisa, yes.  I am a retired pediatrician and have recently been diagnosed with MS.  I hang out here because of all I went through to get a diagnosis and what I have learned in the process.  I am definitely not a neurologist, but have little bits and pieces of neurological knowledge, both from 23 years of medical practice and from researching MS.

The Disease Altering Meds have differing side effect profiles and different problems with the development of "neutralizing antibodies"  This last causes the med to lose ineffectiveness.  They all can cause deterioration in depression, but you also need to understand that MS itself has a higher incidence of severe depression than other neurological illnesses.  It is felt that the depression of MS is partly a direct effect of the disease and not just the effect of having a potentially disabling illness.

So, if your daughter has such a tendency, her family and friends need to keep a close eye on her mental status.

I started on Avonex which I inject weekly.  I've been on it for 6 weeks now.  Keep in mind that the disease-altering-meds have only been found to slow the rate of disability and decrease the number of relapses.  They will not cure or "turn-around" what damage has already occurred.

Here is a nice, informative private website giving an overview of MS.  It isn't 100% accurate, but close enough that I didn't find it misleading.  It is written for the non-medical professional,  Also you and you daughter should read the info on the MS Society page.

http://www.mult-sclerosis.org/

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=hom_gen_homepage

I hope these help, Quix

[LisaSpainhour]

I thought I seen a post regarding you having MS and you are a Dr.  Is this correct?  

[LisaSpainhour]

Well my daughter is considering 2 medicine which are injections.  She had 21 spots.  She has past hx of depression/suidical tendency but it seems all side effects states mood swings/depression.  He glanced at one of the pics that compared to my daughter and said my mri looked consistent with MS but not realizing I was his next patient did not seem to look at it all just 2 pics out of alot.  I had Brain w Orbits.  Then when back in room with him after talking about my daughter he looked at my history form and said well since I do not know your hx and you have migraines(A typical vision problems) he will send me for a spinal tap.  He also suggest to keep appt with the Dr at Wake Forest the Neuro Opthamalogy Dr Martin since I have some upper vision loss on my tests.  Anyways, any info anyone can pass along for my daughter and I is appreciated.
Thank you