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Worries... Please help with MRI report

Hello. I am a woman, 33 years old. A few days ago, I posted in the Neurology community about numbness on the right side of my face. I didn't mention the tingling sensation in my right arm too, as I thought it was linked to using the computer. But now I am so worried... Yesterday, I went to see a neurologist who gave me a copy of the MRI I had in July 2004. I am scheduled for a new MRI with injection of Gadolinium, in two months. The neurologist told me I had "probable demyelinating disease". Since he told me this, I have been feeling numbness and tingling in my right leg too, as well as my right arm and the continued numbness in my face, and I don't know if it's anxiety, the fear of the unknown, or...

It is so hard to wait, and to try to not worry too much. So I would really appreciate any ideas or interpretation of my last MRI. Here is the report (apologies for the awkward wording, as the English translation is mine) :

Two supratentorial lesions. One in the left gyrus rectus, hypointense in T1, hyperintense in T2, measuring 9.5 mm by 10.5 mm. The other lesion is in the left high frontal convexity, measuring 3 mm.
No other lesions (no infratentorial, periventricular, etc.)

Probably demyelinating disease, though the patient doesn't respond to the McDonald criteria. Ischemic etiology is less probable.

---

Thank you so much for any help.

7 Responses
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Avatar universal
I am so glad they helped you get to where you needed to be! What a blessing.
This site is wonderful great people and help and right now I use it to vent and get lots of support.
OH just so happy you got things moving things will get better now.

keep lurking and posting I learn so much here with much support Kiddo's to those that gave the advice!
Hugs
mary
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for this, db1. You were absolutely right about going to emergency. I followed your suggestion, and I am very glad I did.

I went to the hospital yesterday evening, and was quickly seen by a nurse. I mentioned the numbness on my face (now also affecting my eye, up to the eyebrow) and my other symptoms. About an hour later, I was seen by a student neurologist who performed a long series of neuro tests, and not long after, I met with another neuro who did the same tests. As my vision is blurry/double on the right eye, they suspect early optic nevritis. They also told me that they strongly suspect MS, and though I am so shocked/scared/sad over this, I appreciate their honesty.

I also got blood work and a CAT scan done this morning, before meeting with another neurologist... All in the course of a single night! I also have an appointment with an ophthalmologist next week. And, best news : I am waiting for a call for my MRI, which will happen in the next few days ("less than a week", they promised). I will then meet with a neurologist on April 10.

And to think I was supposed to wait for two months... Needless to say, going to the emergency really got things moving.

Thank you for your suggestions, good wishes and support through all this. I'm very glad I found this forum. Especially these days, where I feel so strange and don't feel like talking about it at all with my parents, my boyfriend, my friends... Yet I really need to talk about it! And this forum is of great comfort.
Helpful - 0
382218 tn?1341181487
So sorry to hear of your concerns.  You could try pushing for an earlier MRI date simply by calling the clinic every week or so to find out if they have had any cancellations.  What province are you located in?  I'm in Alberta, and only waited a week for my MRI.  This was last October.  Because my GP suspected MS, she marked the referral 'urgent'  (though as Ess points out, this is hardly a life/death situation).  Even still, with 'urgent' status, I would have needed to wait 3 weeks, had I not called myself and lo and behold, they just happened to have a cancellation and I was in the very same day, a week after my doc had referred me.

Another suggestion would be to maybe talk to your doc again about the fact that something clearly has been going on for at least 4 years, and that this in fact does make your concerns more urgent than they might otherwise be, and is there anything he can do to expedite the process.  

If your symptoms worsen, consider going to emerg.  While it's not necessarily the best use of emerg, it may very well get things happening for you.  When I was waiting even that short time for my MRI, my friend who is a nurse suggested I go to emerg.  I had very bad "MS Hug" and the grip was so tight it made my breathing shallow.  She said go the hospital, get admitted, and you will get all the tests you need pronto.  She sees this happen a lot and her advice was, it is the best way to get things moving, IF your symptoms warrant admission, of course.

I agree with everything Ess said, about ensuring a complete MRI of brain, c and t spine; w and w/o contrast, etc.  Make sure this is all understood and planned for prior to showing up for the test.  Get and keep copies of everything you can get your hands on pertaining to your own diagnostics.

I wish you good luck and peace of mind as you proceed.  I hope you stay connected here for support.  MS does seem like the end of the world when you first hear the words, but it's not, and things will settle down after some time.  Whether it is MS or not, I truly hope you promptly get the answers you need.

db1

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Avatar universal
I'd like to hear what others have to say about pushing for the next MRI. That's a lot of money. Doing it sooner will just help your peace of mind and speed the process, but it doesn't mean the difference between life and death or anything near to that.

In your place I would at least get my own copy of the early MRI. That will be available at the place it was done, though they may charge. Even if you show this to subsequent doctors, keep it in your own possession.

For the next MRI, find out whether it is just of the brain, or whether it's brain, cervical spine and thoracic spine. All three is better, regardless of symptoms, because that will serve as a baseline for your entire future. But in any case make sure the scan or scans will be done with and without contrast. A good explanation of this is in the Health Pages.  When you have the MRI done, get your own copy of that as well, also the radiologist's report. At that place they well might not be interested in the earlier one for comparison, but that part isn't so vital. As long as you keep all your own records.

You should make sure your neurologist carefully looks at the MRI scans himself, instead of just relying on the report. A good neuro will do that. (Wish I had known that myself, years back, but now I do.)

If you wait for the MRI, you can use some of the time reading up on all aspects of MS, including lots of info on this forum. Then you will feel more knowledgeable and confident. But don't obsess about it. There are many mimics of MS, and with luck you'll have one of these that's easily treatable.

We'll do our best to answer your questions.

ess

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank your for your replies, ess and kitten.
Essdipity, you bring up many helpful points in your post. Unfortunately, I am supposed to feel "lucky" about waiting 2 months for my next MRI. Here in Canada, the waiting lists for MRI are neverending... It also seems very hard to find a good neuro specialised in MS, at least until you get an actual diagnosis.

The doctor I saw yesterday didn't mention a lumbar puncture as possibility, but I do have blood work scheduled next Monday. I've also been told that taking a B compex "couldn't hurt", so I've started taking supplements.  

I do not have the actual MRI film or CD, just the report. I am supposed to hand it to the person who will take my next MRI, so they can compare. I will make sure to ask for the CD.

Right now, I am wondering about another possibility... As I said, my MRI is scheduled for May. But I also have the possibility to go to a private clinic for the MRI. I could have an appointment next week, but it would cost me 650$, as opposed to free in the public system. I don't have much money, but I would be willing to do it, if it's important to get it done soon.

Do you think I should wait for May, or pay to get it done as soon as possible? The numbness in my face has been going on for about 2 weeks now. Last time I had these symptoms (in 2004), it lasted 3 weeks then went away. Thank you again for your very appreciated input...


Helpful - 0
164435 tn?1377102256
WELL ESS,
SAID IT ALL. I AGREE WITH HER.
I WANTED TO WELCOME YOU,
TO THE OUR FORUM. THIS IS THE
BEST PLACE TO BE.
GREAT PEOPLE HERE.
KITT
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, Nat, and welcome. You do have 2 sizable lesions. I'm not sure of location in terms of probable MS, though brain lesions anywhere could be MS. The report says these lesions are not likely to come from ischemia, meaning basically the aging process, since you're too young for that.

Since that MRI was from '04, I don't understand why the neuro is making you wait 2 months for an updated image. The sooner the better. If this doctor did not perform a complete neuro exam (takes a minimum of 30 minutes), suggest blood work to rule out other diseases, and mention a lumbar puncture as a possibility, he is not being very proactive, and you should consider finding a new neuro, one who is an MS specialist. If you read many posts here you'll see why.

If you do turn out to have MS, it's far from the end of the world. Many of us here, including me, lead happy and productive lives. Ask any questions you'd like. You will be encouraged to push hard for an answer to your symptoms.

Do you have just the radiologist's report from '04, or also the actual MRI films or CD? Get the actual MRI if you can. It will be important to use for comparison purposes, especially if you seek out a better doctor.

ess
Helpful - 0
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