MRI results for Optic Neuritis-- MS related?

[Scones729]

My wife, 35yr female, was diagnosed with Optical Neuritis. She never had pain in the eye, just a big floater, & the optical nerve in the opposite eye was unaffected. She went through 3 days of steroid treatments & while in the hospital they ordered MRI, CT scans & Lumbar puncture. All weekend, every resident Neurologist tested her, including the vacation relief doctor of the admitting neurologist- all said she looked great. Her history & tests, showed no signs of this being anything besides a fluke infection of the optical nerve. Thyroid checked out months ago, never headaches or numbness anywhere, no Lyme disease etc. Very active person. Preliminary reading of MRI said brain looked good and they could barely see the inflammation of the optical nerve. Then this morning before being discharged, doctor who admitted us to the ER as his patient returned from vacation, came in & immediately said that readings on the MRI lead him to believe the early stages of MS. This was a shock to us. Is it possible that the readings of the MRI are being interpreted into a worst-case-scenario? I will write exactly what the radiologist said in his readings & his impression below. What's your thoughts on the readings? Should we get a second opinion? How? Just get another MRI with a new doctor, or just take the radiologists current reading to a new doctor? Here's what the MRI says (if you need more info let me know):

"Abnormal signal is seen abutting the splenium of corpus callosum. Multiple subcortical white matter lesions are also noted over the left frontal and temporal lobes. Subcortical white matter lesions are also noted involving the right frontal lobe. No evidence of enhancement, mass effect or restricted diffussion is appreciated".

"Impression: White matter changes particularly the one abutting the splenium of corpus callosum may be seen in a demyelinating process. Other differential consideration includes headaches, age-realted change, postinfectious process or Lyme disease."

[theia922]

This is a great answer!!!!  find a ms neurologist in your area, they are available

[Abhijeet Ghosh]

Dear Friend,
Well any doctor can't 100% diagnose MS by either seeing the MRI scan results or on the basis of sign and symptoms. It's a collaboration of both.
However it's a typical condition which needs expertise to diagnose.
But if your treating doctor is suggesting the same, then we don't have much options available.
One thing we are sure of in your MRI result, that there is an inflamation going on somewhere. Hence chances / possibilities of MS can't be ruled out.

But there is no harm at all in going for a second opinion. It will help us to remove the biasing. But please ensure that you don't let the other doctor know that you have already been told about MS. This will help in getting a better / frank / open opinion.
Feel free, if you have something more to discuss .

Regards..