MRI results question

[amymbower]

About six months ago I had two separate incedents of what I thought was a sinus headache.  I loss my peripheral vision, but only for about an hour.  I'm not sure if I've had any other symptoms since then.  I have had vertigo, just briefly, and dizziness, but they could just be from being on a diet and not having eaten.  I have had a few incidents where it seems like something is falling or jumping in my peripheral vision.  Anyway, I had an MRI and the results came back that I had white lesions on my brain.  I don't remember particulars about where, and my doctor noted that the radiologist did not call them "plaques" which is what he usually sees in an MRI report indicating MS.  The report did say that it was possible MS, but my doctor said it wasn't very definate and he wasn't diagnosing me yet.  I;m thirty six years old.

He is running all the tests to rule out other things, including Lyme disease.  I have an appt with a neurologist in a month (earliest I could get).  I guess my question is - can it be MS without the typical appearance of plaques on an MRI.  And with vision loss that only lasted an hour?  Any help would be much appreciated!
Thank you,
Amy

[amymbower]

Thank you for your response.  I had an MRI/MRA of the brain, none of the spinal cord,etc.  Maybe the neurologist will order these.  My blood work came back negative...no b12 deficiency, thyroid problems, lyme disease...the things that might be causing my problem.  

I wish I had asked for a copy of my mri report so I could remember what it said.  I'll know better next time!

Thank you!
Amy

[doni54]

Hi Amy, and welcome to the forum.  I can't tell you whether it is MS or not, and without knowing exactly how the radiologist report read, I couldn't even guess.

You are doing the right thing by going to a neuro.  There are many mimics of MS and usually the neuro will want lots of tests to rule out any of them.

MS can cause problems with the eyes, I'm not sure about your exact problem.  Optic Neuritis is often times a sign that there is an MS lesion present on the optic nerve.  

What MRI did you have?  Most commonly you will have a brain, c spine, t spine and sometimes lumbar mri, with and without contrast.  If the neuro is leaning toward MS, he will probably order an LP (lumbar puncture), this is to check for O bands which are present if it is MS.

There is some great info in our health pages, just click on the health page icon in the upper right of the page.

I hope I helped a little.  I look forward to getting to know you better.  

Take care,
doni