MS??

[Tracey4u68]

I am 45 and recently had an MRI of brain. My GP and radiologist don't seem to know what the results mean. I've been referred to a Neurologist but don't see him for 4 weeks. Can anyone shed light on what these results might mean? Report says.... There are multiple small foci of FLAIR signal hyperintensity scattered throughout the cerebral white matter in a frontoparietal distribution more prominently within the left frontoparietal white matter. Could I have MS?

[Tracey4u68]

Thank you for your reply. I found it very helpful. I will let you know how I go at Neuroligist. Cheers.

[Lulu54]

Hi, Tracey - I'm glad you found us to ask questions because 4 weeks can seem like an eternity. The radiologist should have offered suggestions in the report but we find neuros don't read those, anyway so perhaps the radiologist just skipped that part?If the radiologist suspects MS, they normally include some phrase that reads 'demyelinating disease process" in their report.

To get right to your question - yes, you could have MS but you could also have a number of other things going on.  Hyperintensities means little spots and those can come from a wide variety of problems, including ishemic disease (high blood pressure or mini-strokes) to Lyme disease.  Even migraines can cause hyperintensities in the brain.  

The best thing that can happen is you have a good neurologist who will listen to your history and do a full exam and compare those findings with what shows on your MRI films.

While you wait, I hope you will come back and ask your questions, and take some time to learn more about MS. We're more than happy to answer any and every question you might have.

best, Laura