Brain MRI w w/o contrast for possible MS?

[karenkay626]

MRI impressions:
  #1  Multiple areas of increased signal intensity in the periventricular and to lesser extent subcortical white matter in frontal and parietal regions and in the right side  of the pons which could be secondary to demyelinating disease, less likely ischemic change or vasculitis.
  #2 there is small focus of enhancement in the left frontal subcortical white matter.
  #3 otherwise negative MRI scan of the brain with and without contrast.

neurologist trying to diagnose since nov 2012. symptoms indicating MS.. need help understanding this MRI Please, please. Thank you, Karen Kay

[aspen2]

Also not a radiologist, but it seems like you have lesions in at least two areas of the brain (peri-ventricular and sub-cortical -- that's where mine are located too).  Also, not sure about the vocabulary,  so not sure if "area of enhancement" means "enhancing lesion" -- but if it did, that would mean a lesion that was presently active.  Do you have recent onset of a new symptom?

The vocabulary is different from my MRI so I'm not sure.  The mri alone won't diagnose ms (although it has to meet the McDonald criteria); your neurologist will have to assess your clinical symptoms as well.

[kwarendorf]

Hi Karenkay -

I'm not a radiologist, but when I hear "areas of increased signal intensity in the periventricular" I think lesions. From your report it seems the radiologist is pointing more towards demyelination as the cause of the lesions, rather than ischemia. Ischemia is reduced blood flow and is another cause of lesions.

Have you discussed the findings with your neurologist?

Kyle