NeuroTalk Support Groups - T-spine MRI question

NeuroTalk Support Groups (https://www.neurotalk.org/)

- Multiple Sclerosis (https://www.neurotalk.org/multiple-sclerosis/)

- - T-spine MRI question (https://www.neurotalk.org/multiple-sclerosis/41869-spine-mri-question.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by slskckjebw (Post 242909)

Thanks for the responses on this. I alreay have a dx so I guess it does not matter.

I had a couple of lesions on my brain MRI this summer. One old and one new. I am surprised nothing showed on the spine MRI because I do have the MS hug and my lower body is much more affected than my upper.

It just made sense that a lesion might be somewhere along my spine. But,,,,this is just a weird thing I guess.

My comment about not needing a MRI for them to figure this out (once dx) was really meant for others (without dx) who may misunderstand that they could (possibly) draw conclusions based on symptoms alone. Once we are dx (which you are), then they often make assumptions about what's going on with us MS-wise, without doing MRI's that prove it. ;)

I had given some information on an earlier thread about the hug:

Quote:

Originally Posted by lady_express_44 (Post 239142)

The hug, which can cause breathing difficulty, could be as a result of a pseudo exacerbation (due to over-heating, etc.), or it as part of an attack. However, the hug is a symptom of spinal damage/lesions and requires that we have damage in this area (not the brain).

It is a sensory symptom (paresthesia), and occurs as a result of a spasm in our intercostal (rib) muscles. While it may FEEL like we can’t breath or like we are having a heart attack, it does not actually impede our breathing. In and off itself, I am not aware that the hug can cause us to go unconscious or require that we go on a breathing machine for five days. That is why I am particularly concerned about Bob’s experience.

http://ms.about.com/od/signssymptoms/a/ms_hug_pain.htm

L'hirmettes is another sign of spinal lesions. Some of the other symptoms we get can come from either brain or spinal lesions . . . but I won't go into each of them.

I am a bit surprised they only did a T spine MRI, LA. L'hirmettes is a C-spine problem, and (I think) the hug is too. Why didn't they do the C-spine at the same time?

Also . . . bear in mind that spinal lesions can be sneaky, with or without contrast. The contrast is just to help spot active inflammation . . . but I don't think using it makes a difference with regard to actually spotting damage easier (I might be wrong, but I don't think so). However, spinal lesions can be very small, and unnoticable on a MRI, but still cause problems.

I might ask for another MRI, but only if he will request the C-spine too. At the end of the day . . . it probably doesn't matter one way or another though.

Cherie

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jules A (Post 243018)

Absolutely but I don't recall the OP stating they requested them to stop because of the pain. I was only referring to the OPs experience as I understood it.

Well, if you're not having the MRI done at a hospital, they might have only so many techs around that could keep trying to do the IV.

My MRI's were all done at imaging centers. My first one was done at a larger center, but they still had only one machine, but they seemed to have a lot of extra techs around. They didnt have a problem with the IV there.

The other one was done at a smaller imaging center, they had two techs. One was new, and the other guy had been there forever. He had the best luck with my failed IV. He was able to get a little contrast in, just before the vein collapsed or quit working, whatever you call it when it cant get the contrast in. He let the new person attempt the IV in my other arm, and the back of my hand, he tried it too in the back of my other hand. They just couldnt get the contrast in there.

I didnt blame the techs for not being able to get the contrast in. (it was the nurse from the day before's fault, she ripped my veins apart in my elbows taking blood. Most painful blood draws I've ever had!) I think there are probably times when they just cant get the contrast in. I had to go back a week later for another MRI to confirm the little blips they saw on the first one as being lesions.

By then the ripped up veins in my elbows were healed and they had no problems with getting the contrast in. That pretty much confirmed to me to not have an MRI done the day of or day after having blood drawn.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin524 (Post 243035)

I had to go back a week later for another MRI to confirm the little blips they saw on the first one as being lesions.

Erin, do you have copies of your spinal MRI results?

I'm curious if either (or both) of them say the size and exact location of the lesions because I find it curious that they might not have been able to identify them as MS lesions (just "blips") the first time.

I had mentioned that I didn't have contrast, yet they picked up on my spinal lesions and were able to measure them. I wonder why there would be a difference between your situation and mine, unless mine are just very large and/or yours very small?

Cherie