Any idea on how unusual it is to be diagnosed with only 1 brain lesion?

My neurologist said I only had one infratentorial lesion - in my right cerebellum. However, the radiologist report said there was white matter involvement around the right frontal horn, some periventricular punctate lesions, and a lesion in the right cerebellum. The other data was blown off by my neurologist. He then scheduled me for an LP. The tests came back saying I had 5 oligoclonal bands, so he decided I had MS.

If my LP had been clear, I would have had to wait for more testing before I was diagnosed, as I understand it.

Thanks for replying. Can I ask how you feel about the possibility of not having been diagnosed as quickly if your LP came back negative?

A girlfriend of mine has numbness/tingling on one side, arm and leg it was so bad she went to the ER. She has one lesion in her brain but they did a spinal MRI and it was clear so now she doesn't think she has MS. Blood work is clear and there isn't any sign of a stroke or cardiac issues. They are going to do a spinal tap but it sure sounds like MS to me so I was just wondering if people routinely get diagnosed with only 1 lesion.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, I had a whole head full of the buggers so my dx wasn't a problem, no LP needed.

Jules,
2 Lesions, clear LP, Normal VEP; Fully numb on left side for 2 months, visual problems, history of vertigo= No dx...I'm a possible and will be until it shows again...or not.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it

Oh Greenjeans that would make me crazy. I wish I was a neuro, I'd give you the dx tonight! Don't the eye issues count for anything? I thought they were the magic symptom that always resulted in a MS fast track.

I had RK surgery in 1991 (this was when they cut your eyes, before laser surgery) which gave me 20/20 vision. The Optho/Neuro can't see past those cuts, and when I did finally find him, the flair had passed, so I've yet to be dx'ed with ON. I have residual effects tho that have never left

I hope your Friend has an easier time, but this is how so many end up in limbo....

There goes my dinner bell Talk to you later!

I don't think you could get a "true" dx according to the McDonald criteria with only one lesion unless she had two defined exacerbations or maybe a positive LP??

Doesn't mean they can't call her subclinical and treat her though. If she's in denial though then it doesn't sound like there's much to do at this point.

I'm multi-lesioned (hah! I invented a new word!) positive LP, but subclinical/infraclinical because I haven't had an exacerbation or symptoms.

I was dx'd with one new lesion and one old lesion in the frontal lobe of white matter. Along with two episodes of ON and abnormal reflexes.

It does not sound like much to me considering what others seem to have when it comes to lesion load.

I have more symptoms than I do lesions.

I had no brain lesions (couple of white dots that were NOT indicative of MS). I did have a history of numbness in the right thigh, from the hip to just below the knee, optic neuritis in the left eye, two spinal lesions (T12 and C4) and burning/freezing cold/thumbtack-filled boots sensation in my feet. (not all of this was at the same time, but over the course of about 7 months)

It was the two spinal lesions that convinced my neuro and he diagnosed me with MS.

I didnt have to get the LP. Both my regular neuro and the neuro at the MS Clinic who gave me my 2nd opinion both discouraged me from getting an LP.

Oh, the MS Clinic neuro also said that I had 4 beat clonus in my feet. That's gone now, when I did the physical therapy last month, the PT guy checked and said I didnt have clonus and he thought I had great muscle tone for someone who sits around crocheting and knitting all day.

I have only 1 lesion so am dx clinically probable RRMS. Although sometimes my neuro and myself wonder if it could be something else because my MRI has stayed the same since 2/97!!!!!!! I have been on Avonex since then. I was dx while I had a lot of memory and sensory problems, positive LP, no feeling or function in my legs while I was sitting or standing but I could walk. Since then I have had 2 relapses, the second one worse than the first. I still have a lot of memory, sensory and fatigue problems. I wish her all the luck in finding a dx. She has a good friend. Oh, I am on SSD. You don't need a positive dx to get it.