Old lesions

[Praxis9]

Just a question (hypothetical) that I hope will further my understanding of MS.

Say a person has an old lesion, and then has new symptoms some years later. I read that an MRI would show that the old lesion has been reactivated with a bright ring of inflammation around it.

But what if the old symptoms don't reappear at the same time of the new, second flare up? Is it usual for old symptoms to NOT flare up? And then if they don't "reactivate" would the old lesion have a ring around it or not?

Thank you for your time.

[Praxis9]

Hello:

In reply to your response. No, no diagnosis of MS. This is my first MRI. I posted my results in an earlier post, and I'm reposting it so you don't have to go hunting for it. Fairly unexciting.

But like many people, I've been doing a lot of reading on the subject, and I'm trying to grasp some of the concepts. My question was more centered around general understanding than in my own specific case.

Anyway, here's the result:

MRI Report:

As isolated white matter hypersensitivity involves the white matter tracts of the left corona radiata near the atrium of the left ventricle. It measures approx. 6mm in diameter. Right hemisphere brainstem and cerebellum demonstrate no similar abnormalities.

The diffusion-weighted sequence indicates no recent ischemic events. Major arterial and venous flow voids are preserved. There is no evidence of intraaxial hemorrhage or extraaxial fluid collections.

Post contrast axial and coronal T-1 weighted images of the brain demonstrate no abnormal areas of enhancement.

Impression: Isolated white matter hyperintensity left parietal region as above. It is nonspecific. Considerations would include a small focus of chronic microvascular ischemic change. Demyelinating plaque can not be completely excluded with clinical laboratory correlation suggested.

But since then (the MRI and my posted question), I've spoken to my brother who has Marfan/and/or Stickler Syndrome, so I am going to talk to the neurologist about some sort of genetic predisposition/weakness. He's been diagnosed with Stickler for some time (which I always had a hard time grasping given the severity of his symptoms), but apparently now some of his specialists think it's Marfan. This makes a lot more sense given his life.



Thanks for your time.

[tonyad]

If you do not mind, please tell us exacly what your MRI says that way it will be easier to comment with a little more info. Also, have you had blood work?  

Do you actually have a dx of MS???? And just had a repeat MRI?

I would say that it is not correct that an old lesion would always reactivate. Old lesions can actually disappear( heal) or they can remain and be seen on an MRI, not necessarily with new symptoms.

does any of that make any sense?

~T