[K9Lover]

Quick bio: numbness, tingling zingers all over starting happening all of a sudden in Oct. Have ruled out lupus, lyme, B12, TIAs, iron deficiency, nerve conduction issues. Had a brain MRI & lesions showed up. Here is the MRI results:

FINDINGS: There are multifocal punctate areas of abnormal white matter
signal hyperintensity scattered in both cerebral hemispheres. These are
predominantly located in subcortical regions but also affect
periventricular white matter especially along the expected course of the
optic radiations on the left. The lesions number greater than 9. No
enhancing lesions are seen. No lesions are seen in the posterior fossa. No
T1 hypointense lesions are seen. No mass or mass effect. Flow-voids are
seen in the major intracranial arteries and dural venous sinuses. Orbits
are free of abnormality. Flow-voids are seen in the major intracranial
arteries.

Had spinal VEP, MRI & LP...all fine. Went to MS specialist to get 2nd opinion, he says he doesn't think its MS because of where lesions are located. Can't tell me why I have lesions or symptoms (which, haven't gone away, in fact I have added a couple more). My neuro here originally said possible MS but now is being very reserved. I have another MRI scheduled in May.

I know...they can't predict anything, but from what I've read, CIS should be treated. Anyone that can give me their 2 cents, I appreciate it! Thanks for listening.

[SallyC]

I don't read MRIs, but it sure sounds like something's going on. If you are not convinced of your Neuro's DX or lack there of, get a second opinion from a MS specialist Neuro, and another Radiologist to read your MRI.

Sounds like your Doc is being overly careful not to DX you too fast as he/she is not sure.

Let us know how it goes..

[Dejibo]

it would be near impossible to guess at your MRI findings without veiwing the actual film. I hope you find answers soon. Please dont stress. Its gonna be what its gonna be. Im glad you are at least getting some answers.

[K9Lover]

Thank you...I know I am trying to grab at straws when really I am glad they haven't jumped to a dx that may not be. Just difficult to wait!

[Lady]

Hi K9 Lover,

That flow void in the intracranial arteries and the dural venous sinuses, could be a stenosis or blockage in the arteries. Could be veins and arteries. Medication might help.

I would bring the MRI to another Neurologist for a second opinion. You may benefit from a CAT Scan of the Brain. JMO I am just trying to think what else it could be. We all get something. Yours may be treatable and not a disease like MS.
Good luck to you, let us know how you feel. Join us.

[K9Lover]

Originally Posted by Lady

Hi K9 Lover,

That flow void in the intracranial arteries and the dural venous sinuses, could be a stenosis or blockage in the arteries. Could be veins and arteries. Medication might help.

I just looked up stenosis...I had an MRI of my spine. Would that type of thing have shown up on that? (grammar...yuk!) Anyway...I had a check of my heart to check for things that could cause strokes there, but nothing on the vascular system in my brain/head. Maybe that is something to consider. If so, wouldn't my neuro have thought that might be? She has been SO thorough. The other neuro I saw for a second opinion dismissed my lesions as being MS because of their location. I have researched that my lesions are in locations that MS is, so I am wondering what he means by that.

Like I said, I will let it go for now & right on with what is gonna be is gonna be!

[Mariel]

I don't know what the locations mean other than this: the most typical area for MS lesions to occur is in periventricular areas, and you have some of your lesions there. I too had atypical lesion location, but kept getting more for a while. I got an MS dx primarily because other tests were positive, i.e. the Visual Evoked Response and Visual Fields. Later the lesions changed sides and became less, years later. I also have Porphyria, and it is possible I am one of the small minority who got these type of lesions
from that. In my family, four are dx'd with MS, and it is possible that they have a type of MS which emerges from Porphyria. Very complex, none of them got a dx beyond MS other than me, and the others died on or before age fifty. You might ask about Porphyria. I often suggest this, although the testing is difficult, when people don't know what to make of their tests. I still have 50% of doctors who say it's MS, 50% who say it is Porph. Could be both? i think I have a type which is both but I think doctors and I will not figure this out in my lifetime. In any case, I now have another disease, Polycythemia Vera, which is my chief focus now, but I am always aware of the underlying
neurological problems of MS/Porphyria, and how they affect everything.

[EddieF]

Get your MRI on cd for free or a few dollars from place that did it and start learning. I knew I had MS the day I got home from 1st MRI.

I tested 30? for myelin basic protein in CSF spinal tap however I hear some MS'rs don't test positive.