timing of lumbar puncture after onset

[mariposa100]

I've had a recent onset of ms symptoms, culminating in an episode.  How long does it take for evidence to show up in the MRI?  (none had so far).  How long for oligloclonal bands to appear in spinal puncture test?  I have heavy cns symptoms but just onsetting.   Is there a time I should wait to mamize my chance for accurate result on puncture.

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

Usually the MRI findings come first, and there may be a gap of up to ten years for the clinical symptoms to appear. but in some cases, the clinical symptoms appear first. It is estimated that 5 - 8 % of people have a clear MRI at the time of appearance of clinical symptoms or diagnosis. These many people will continue to have a clear MRI. If there is no MRI finding for two years after the diagnosis, the diagnosis should be revised. A person with multiple sclerosis is going to have lesions on the brain. The MRI, though most effective currently, may not pick up some lesions.

Regards

[HK 13]

Mariposa posed a question regarding the time that it would take for evidence to appear on an MRI. I too am wondering about that. Do you happen to know?

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

There is no standard time period when the oligoclonal bands may appear. They may never appear. There are MS diagnoses without the oligoclonal bands. The n\bands may appear in a month of diagnosis or may take a few years to do so.

Have you started treatment? This is the most important part. The earlier you start treatment, better are the chances or remission.

Regards