[briancrotts]

i am new here, i just got the results of my latest MRI, i had one of the Brain with and with out contract and my first one of the cervical spine with and without contrast..

here are my questions.. my Brain MRI cane back as "normal", but the Cervical came back with a world of problems it seems.. so, wasi mis-diagnosed?

also, can someone please tell me what the Cervical MRI means.. how bad is it and would it cause MS like symptoms?

BRAIN

HISTORY: Multiple sclerosis.

COMPARSION: MRI brain April 29, 2011.

TECHNIQUE: Multiplanar, multisequence MR images of the brain were obtained with and without IV gadolinium administration (20 mL Magnevist).

FINDINGS:
Normal brain parenchymal morphology and signal intensity is present. Previously reported right frontoparietal lobe subcortical hyperintense STIR weighted signal intensity is not seen on the study. No abnormal decreased T1-weighted signal intensity white matter lesion is evident. There is no diffusion restriction identified.

The septum is located within the midline. The midline structures and craniocervical junction are within normal limits. The ventricles are symmetric without signs of hydrocephalus. No acute intracranial hemorrhage, structural fluid collection, or abnormal mass effect is evident. The dominant flow within the skull base are patent. There is no suspicious post enhancement identified.

The calvarium demonstrates normal marrow signal intensity. The scalp soft tissues are normal. Persistent right posterior mastoid air cells opacifications are seen. Mild mucosal thickening of the ethmoid and left sphenoid sinus are seen. The orbits and it's contents are within normal limits.

IMPRESSION:
No suspicious matter lesion or abnormal restricted diffusion is evident


CERVICAL


HISTORY: Multiple sclerosis.

COMPARSION: No relevant prior studies.

TECHNIQUE: Multiplanar, multisequence MR images of the cervical spine were obtained before and after IV gadolinium administration (20 mL Magnevist).

FINDINGS:
There is preservation of the normal cervical lordosis. The vertebral body heights are preserved without traumatic fracture or dislocation.

The spinal cord demonstrates normal signal intensity without suspicious lesion. The craniocervical junction is within normal limits. No abnormal postgadolinium enhancement is seen.

Mild disc desiccation is present at C3-4. Intervertebral disc space narrowing seen at C5-6.

C2-3: No disc bulge, neural foraminal narrowing or spinal canal stenosis is seen.

C3-4: No disc bulge, neural foraminal narrowing or spinal canal stenosis is seen.

C4-5: Disc osteophyte complex causes mild right and moderate left neuroforaminal narrowing without spinal canal stenosis.

C5-6: Disc osteophyte complex causes moderate left and mild right neural foraminal narrowing. There is moderate spinal canal stenosis with flattening of the spinal cord.

C6-7: No disc bulge, neural foraminal narrowing or spinal canal stenosis is seen. Mild left facet arthrosis present.

C7-T1: No disc bulge, neural foraminal narrowing or spinal canal stenosis is seen.

Paravertebral soft tissues are within normal limits.

IMPRESSION:
1. No suspicious spinal cord lesion is seen.

2. Mild/moderate degenerative change of the cervical spine.

3. Moderate spinal canal stenosis at C5-6.

4. Mild right and moderate left C4-5 and C5-6 neuroforaminal narrowing

[SallyC]

Welcome braincrotts.. Nice to meet you..

It seem to me that your findings have more to do with disc
problems than MS. But then you could have both?

[Snoopy]

Were you misdiagnosed? Possibly.

You have narrowing and flattening of the spinal cord, stenosis and degenerative change of the spinal cord. Those things listed can cause neurological symptoms.

You might post the spinal MRI information on the spinal disorders and back pain forum and see what people there think.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum22.html

With no lesions showing on the brain or c-spine MRI and with spine problems being found it looks less like MS and more like a back problem.

[TXBatman]

Nobody can answer the question of whether you were "misdiagnosed" without knowing the basis of your Dx and seeing your full chart of tests. There are plenty of people who appear to be properly diagnosed but who do not have visible lesions on an MRI.

I was interested by this: "Previously reported right frontoparietal lobe subcortical hyperintense STIR weighted signal intensity is not seen on the study." It sounds like maybe there was a lesion or some sort of hyperintensity seen in the previous study that was not present this time.

As for the spinal MRI, nobody can tell you whether what they are seeing in your spine is causing your symptoms without knowing what your symptoms and and doing nerve conductions studies. However, the C5-C6 statement that flattening of the spinal cord is seen means that the spinal cord is being affected. Whether that impingement translates to pain or numbness depends on how severe the flattening is and how your body has responded to it.

[Debbie D]

I agree with Snoopy...

[briancrotts]

just to give a little more information, my symptoms include:

left arm and leg weakness (i am not walk for more than 10 minutes without my left leg feeling like it is going ot give out)

vision issues

jaw weakness when i am chewing a lot

[Snoopy]

briancrotts, welcome to NeuroTalk

Has your vision problems been diagnosed such as Optic Neuritis or something else? Have you seen an Opthamologist about your vision problems?

Your vision problems would not have anything to do with your Cervical Spine MRI.

left arm and leg weakness (i am not walk for more than 10 minutes without my left leg feeling like it is going ot give out)

This could be MS or back problems.

[briancrotts]

i called my neuro today to see f thy got the results from the MRI and the frond desk lady said the notes from the Dr regarding this MRI were "Okay".

time for a new Dr?

[GladysD]

After meeting with the doctor in person, can always say, you'd like to get a second opinion.

[briancrotts]

if a confirmation is made from a spinal Dr. that the spine is the cause ofr all of my symptoms would it be possible to take legal action against:

diagnosing Dr, second opinion Dr, and new Dr after i moved?


i was sent to UCLA for confirmation of Dx and she just gave me balance and strength tests. i later moved and needed a new Dr and she just went along with the DX.

i had Brain MRI's in 2008, 2011, and 2013.. NONE of the reports showed lesions.. the 2011 report actually states:

MRI OF THE HEAD WITHOUT ENHANCEMENT:

TECHNIQUE: Multiplanar, multisequence imaging of the brain was obtained. 20 cc of
gadolinium contrast material injected.

HISTORY: Multiple sclerosis.

FINDINGS: The ventricles are normal in size and position with no hydrocephalus
identified. FLAIR weighted images reveal tiny area of increased signal intensity in
the subcortical white matter of the right posterior frontal parietal region. This is
nonspecific. It is not classic for multiple sclerosis; however, demyelinating
disease is not completely excluded. Similar findings can be seen in patients with
migraine headaches or can be related to other benign etiologies. No other areas of
altered signal are identified involving the brain. No areas of abnormal enhancement
are identified involving the brain. Within the posterior fossa no abnormality of
the brainstem or cerebellum is identified. Normal flow-void is noted within both
internal carotid arteries and basilar artery.

There is a moderate amount of fluid within the right mastoid. There is some artifact
in the left facial region around the left maxillary sinus.

IMPRESSION:
1. FLAIR weighted images reveal a tiny area of increased signal intensity within the
subcortical white matter of the right posterior frontal parietal region which is
nonspecific in a patient of this age. No abnormalities of the brain are identified.
2. Moderate amount of fluid within the right mastoid.