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Hump Day Brings Inconclusive Test Results
Sitting here in Limbo Land with another push to get some kind of answers. Impatiently awaiting LP test results from last Tuesday.
Got test results from MRI of C and T spine today. Very disappointed with the lack of detail in radiologists report and while I can see things on brain MRIs, I can’t make head nor tail out of looking at spinal images.
The radiologists report was inconclusive at best. MRI was done on a 1.5 machine.
Cervial cord: “There is mild inhomogeneity in the cervical cord on pre and post contrast studies. However, no definite focal lesions per se can be identified. No definite abnormal enhancement is appreciated. No definite findings of demyelination.” Sounds like this guy was trying to cover his butt.
He goes onto bulges noted at C4-5 and C5-6, but does not go into any detail as to whether any nerve impingement is occurring.
“Impression: Mild to moderate degenerative changes as discussed above. No definite cord abnormality seen.”
Report was 125 words long.
Thoracic Spine: Only item of note was small meningeal cyst seen in the foramen on the left in lower thoracic spine.
“Impression: No significant findings.”
Report was half the length of the first.
There is no denying that I have numerous brain lesions and it would have been helpful if this radiologist took the time to determine if there is nerve compression that might explain the hyperreflexia and parasthesias that the neuro wrote on the order for the test.
Hope I get the LP results tomorrow. They may not show anything, but at least I know that tests are being run and this is yet again the beginning of the process.
I know that my neuro will look at the disk and maybe she can tell me more.
Enuff of my negative attitude for one day. I’ll sign off with a joke.
What did one sagging boob say to the other?
If we don’t get some support soon, they’re going to think we’re nuts!
Audrey
Got test results from MRI of C and T spine today. Very disappointed with the lack of detail in radiologists report and while I can see things on brain MRIs, I can’t make head nor tail out of looking at spinal images.
The radiologists report was inconclusive at best. MRI was done on a 1.5 machine.
Cervial cord: “There is mild inhomogeneity in the cervical cord on pre and post contrast studies. However, no definite focal lesions per se can be identified. No definite abnormal enhancement is appreciated. No definite findings of demyelination.” Sounds like this guy was trying to cover his butt.
He goes onto bulges noted at C4-5 and C5-6, but does not go into any detail as to whether any nerve impingement is occurring.
“Impression: Mild to moderate degenerative changes as discussed above. No definite cord abnormality seen.”
Report was 125 words long.
Thoracic Spine: Only item of note was small meningeal cyst seen in the foramen on the left in lower thoracic spine.
“Impression: No significant findings.”
Report was half the length of the first.
There is no denying that I have numerous brain lesions and it would have been helpful if this radiologist took the time to determine if there is nerve compression that might explain the hyperreflexia and parasthesias that the neuro wrote on the order for the test.
Hope I get the LP results tomorrow. They may not show anything, but at least I know that tests are being run and this is yet again the beginning of the process.
I know that my neuro will look at the disk and maybe she can tell me more.
Enuff of my negative attitude for one day. I’ll sign off with a joke.
What did one sagging boob say to the other?
If we don’t get some support soon, they’re going to think we’re nuts!
Audrey
Spinal lesions are notoriously hard to detect, so the higher the MRI resolution the better. Read Quix's journal about her experiences in this regard. Also look at the Health Pages on MRIs and lesions for a lot of good info.
I urge you to sit down with your neuro and go over the images together. Ask questions about the strength of MRI and about the radiology report, but be careful not to sound *too* informed, or at all influenced by the web. Make sure the tests were done using MS protocol. Just act intelligently interested, which for you should be no sweat. If your neuro doesn't look carefully herself at the MRIs, that is a warning signal to move on.
And remember, you don't need spinal lesions, detected or not, for an MS diagnosis. You also don't need evidence from LP, so don't put too many eggs in that basket.
Please keep us updated on developments, and best of luck to you.
ess
I urge you to sit down with your neuro and go over the images together. Ask questions about the strength of MRI and about the radiology report, but be careful not to sound *too* informed, or at all influenced by the web. Make sure the tests were done using MS protocol. Just act intelligently interested, which for you should be no sweat. If your neuro doesn't look carefully herself at the MRIs, that is a warning signal to move on.
And remember, you don't need spinal lesions, detected or not, for an MS diagnosis. You also don't need evidence from LP, so don't put too many eggs in that basket.
Please keep us updated on developments, and best of luck to you.
ess
Thanks for your kind words of support. I knew when I started this process again that I would have to prepare myself for the roller coaster ride of hurry and wait, time off for doctors' appointments, etc., yet it is easier said than done.
Saw a new post about lower resolution machines and don't know if a higher powered one would make a difference or not.
I am not ruling out the possibility of Lyme Disease, but given the length of time that I have had symptoms, it may be hard to get a "probable" diagnosis. This forum is much more informative than the Lyme forum and I've learned a lot on the way about diagnostic tests and interpretation of results.
Be well.
Audrey
Saw a new post about lower resolution machines and don't know if a higher powered one would make a difference or not.
I am not ruling out the possibility of Lyme Disease, but given the length of time that I have had symptoms, it may be hard to get a "probable" diagnosis. This forum is much more informative than the Lyme forum and I've learned a lot on the way about diagnostic tests and interpretation of results.
Be well.
Audrey
I agree that this radiologist sure won't go out on a limb. Makes one wonder if the whole experience was worth the trouble.
But I love your joke!! Will be borrowing it next week for a birthday card to another my-age ol' gal. Gotta laugh at what nature does.
ess
But I love your joke!! Will be borrowing it next week for a birthday card to another my-age ol' gal. Gotta laugh at what nature does.
ess
The radiologist cannot address nerve compression. The Neurologist has to do a Neuro Exam to determine that. Many people have bulging discs which do not pose any problem what so ever. I have two and degeneration and bone spurs.
They said the most in my first report which was not MS Protocol and they were not looking for MS.
It took me six weeks to get my LP results. I know it is frustrating hang in there.
Alex
They said the most in my first report which was not MS Protocol and they were not looking for MS.
It took me six weeks to get my LP results. I know it is frustrating hang in there.
Alex
Hi Audrey,
You probably have seen our responses here in the past about brief radiology reports - it seems the radiologists do as little as necessary to complete the basic requirements so they can bill for their services. At least that seems to be the case for suspected demyelinating diseases.
It seems to be that the neurologists are very clear tht they want to read their own films and make up their own minds about the evidence and not be swayed by the radiology report.
Your attitude isn't negative, its just disappointed. I know my last radiology report left me wondering what it said and it was very very brief. And that is post-dx for me. The best report I ever had was the first MRI when they didn't know that I had all these lesions. All the ones post-dx are bare bones.
Hang in there - I hope your next neuro appt is soon and you get some answers.
be well, Lulu
You probably have seen our responses here in the past about brief radiology reports - it seems the radiologists do as little as necessary to complete the basic requirements so they can bill for their services. At least that seems to be the case for suspected demyelinating diseases.
It seems to be that the neurologists are very clear tht they want to read their own films and make up their own minds about the evidence and not be swayed by the radiology report.
Your attitude isn't negative, its just disappointed. I know my last radiology report left me wondering what it said and it was very very brief. And that is post-dx for me. The best report I ever had was the first MRI when they didn't know that I had all these lesions. All the ones post-dx are bare bones.
Hang in there - I hope your next neuro appt is soon and you get some answers.
be well, Lulu
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