Brain MRI interpretation. Is this stating I have MS?

[idiocracy]

I received my Brain MRI results / interpretation today. This is from a 3T MRI. Is this report stating I have had MS for a long time? "History of MS". Is a remote insult something that could have happened many years ago or does it mean something recent? I know when a doctor states a patient has a remote history of smoking it means they quite smoking many years ago.


"Scattered intracranial white matter lesions which are nonspecific. While consistent with the history of multiple sclerosis, this could also relate to a remote insult. Not applicable new T2 lesions and no new enhancing lesions. No significant parenchymal volume loss."

[idiocracy]

@hvac
Hi Supermum_ms and others,

I recently had a followup with the MS Specialist at the Cleveland Clinic.  I went into the appointment expecting to receive a diagnosis of MS.  She brought my current MRI Images up along with my 6 month old MRI images and she said I do not have MS.  She said there was no progression with the lesions found on my MRI and that the lesions were not MS specific.  She said my lesions, which are numerous, are only in the subcortical region.  She said these are not consistent with MS.  

I said ok, well then what is causing this pain in my legs especially the weird parathesia/burning/cold sensitive feeling in the bilateral calf region.  She said very straighforward that I have small fiber neuroapathy.  I was totally shocked since I have a good idea with SFN is.  I said we need to do a biopsy to confirm this.  She said that test is unreliable and would not change her diagnosis or treatment.  Her treatment is only increasing my dosage of neurontin.

My other symptoms are a strange tightness in my upper back that comes and goes.  I also have occasional teeth chattering.  I asked the MS specialist what could be causing these symptoms and she again said it is  not MS, but rather a reaction my body is having to SFN.

I was curious of your thoughts on this?

[idiocracy]

Is intermittent burning bilateral leg pain a common issue with MS?  It seems I have this issue every other day.  It's exacerbated when I sit down to work on the days I have this problem.  Someone said this is a symptom of Lymes disease?
@supermum_ms
@HVAC

[supermum_ms]

I don't know enough about Lyme disease to say if it is or not, bilateral burning pain exacerbated when sitting down is most commonly caused by a peripheral nerve issue i think in the lumbar spine.

Unilateral spinal related symptoms are more typical in MS because MS cord lesions are not usually big enough to cross the cord and cause bilateral, that doesn't mean bilateral is impossible but MS would not be at the top of causation list.

  

[supermum_ms]

Hi there,

I wouldn't actually interpret 'History of MS' as being anything more than just the reason for getting the MRI done, 'Remote insult' basically means some type of past issue/event/injury that has caused white matter changes eg migraine, hypertension, diabetes etc etc etc


Keep in mind that the radiologist comments are not actually diagnostic, it's your neurologists job to diagnose based on all your collective evidence. No radiologist is going to contradict a patients diagnosis of MS if they do have MS, i'd assume he/she is unsure if the patient is dx with MS and is basically pointing out that the lesions seen on your MRI are 'nonspecific' and not the more specifically demyelinating type of lesions.  

Hope that helps.......JJ

[idiocracy]

Hi Supermum, thank you.  I should probably take a deep breath and wait to hear from the neurologist.  
Thank you.

[idiocracy]

Hi,

Yes, I am now seeing an MS specialist. I'm hoping to hear from her if she thinks this is significant.  

I appreciate your response as always.  Thank you.

[HVAC]

It takes a neurologist to diagnose MS. No MRI automatically rules MS In or out. It is weird the radiologist was that specific. Are you seeing a neurologist and is he or she a MS Specialist? I had a MRI thats classic for MS but the neurologist I saw was a headache specialist and she missed the MS completely. I hope your neurologist will give you answers
Alex