I have PN in my feet and various other symptoms, am/was B12d, had a brain scan that was normal, and am having a neck MRI tomorrow.

What does a "normal" brain scan rule out? MS? What else?

What will they be looking for with the neck MRI?

Thanks.

As an amatuer, my guess is the neck MRI is to see if there is possible nerve compression somewhere in the neck. Or maybe it has to do with the "other symptoms" you noted, but you don't say those are. Also, the brain MRI maybe for these other symptoms.

I have had 5 brain MRI's and 2 neck MRI's in the last 3 years, but they were for other symptoms rather than my SFN.

Often a neck scan is used to determine whether your carotid ateries have stenosis.

Is it with AND without contrast? The combo can make a big difference.
Having said this, they've done your brain..OK that eliminates a lot of issues ...
http://www.aafp.org/afp/980215ap/poncelet.html It's laid out here in the charts[it's also up in those 'stickies'!]. Keep in mind that diagnosing any PN [ideopathic, toxic, inherited or immune] is a long process of elimination! Eliminating any other more easily determined neuro issues. Look at the 'stickies' at Liza Jane's lists of tests...they about cover almost all PN related issues. Now, don't go out and demand all of these, just take a look at them and see how your doc is progressing along these lists and the 'Poncelet' methodology... Be very SURE you get copies somehow of the test results...they will go with you wherever you end up, and you can learn a LOT from them...even or especially the blood tests. Lots to learn!
Doing the neck is quite reasonable as there can be occasions when we mite have fallen as a kid or adult, or been in and accident that we don't think is important NOW, but really mite be a clue to your issues.
The whole thing is no big deal, if they find nothing? Thats good! But it also means there is a likelihood for more testing. Having run almost the gamut for the PN [Really CIDP in my case-auto-immune] and two other immune issues since I got the PN, I have to say I have been thru more MRI's than I care to recall.
I'm just surprised that they are only doing the 'neck' and not more to be really sure... I had the head, neck and whole spine done at the onset...but then I'd been active in a sport which can cause traumatic impacts..etc. that I won't go into.
Brain scans rule out MS, and tumors and vascular blockages and all sorts of things I can't even imagine! That THAT part is clear is really a GOOD THING! So think positive for all this. To me? The jury is out until all the tests are in!
It took me six months to realize the neuro I'd first had wasn't 'working' for ME and Found another and it took another six months to get the tests I needed and the treatments I really needed!
Oops! Just realized you've likely completed your test already... Do let us know. Remember that 'nothing' can be a good thing? BUT don't give up and keep looking. Hope always! - j

By "contrast" do you mean injected dye? No they did not use dye. Do you mean they are able to get more complete results if they do?

Thanks for all the other info!

dahlek: If you're interested, my story is here.

Another question: when the neurologist was examining me for the first time, he said the reflexes in my knees were stronger than they should be.

What exactly does that signify?