Ms dx question

[Laker696]

Wondering if it is possible to have ms with no brain or spinal lesions?

[rjoneslaw]

u may not show any lesions in the brain on MRI. Then there are these people who may have lesions in the spinal cord or may have lesions that cannot be detected by MRI.

[Laker696 in reply to rjoneslaw]

So would a spinal tap be a possible solution for diagnosis? I have an appt next month with nerve and muscle specialist but I have been dealing with this for 3 years now and still no diagnosis.

[rjoneslaw in reply to Laker696]

yes it would

[Frances_B in reply to Laker696]

Oligoclonal bands are what the lumbar puncture test is looking for but around 15% of PwMS who have a lumbar puncture do not show any oligoclonal bands in their CSF. So a lumbar puncture is not going to be a definitive answer for you if your MRI scans are clear, it's only going to be another test to try and find out what your problems might be casued by. And while it is possible to have MS but not have lesions show up on MRI scans it is extremely rare for this to be the case so the odds of having MS but no visible lesions is pretty small.

[greaterexp]

The MRI I had over 20 years ago showed no lesions, but it was definitely a CIS. I’ve read that even now, with the better quality, some lesions may be difficult to see on MRIs.

I sure hope you discover what’s going on very soon.

[kdali]

Yes! They have to be a certain size before they are detected. They can also shrink and enlarge all the time.

There are other criteria for diagnosis, but I don’t remember what all it is. Spinal fluid is one. The tests can confirm what the MD sees in the clinical exam.

[CalfeeChick CommunityAmbassador]

To this date, after many MRI's, with and without contrast dye, spinal tap, Evoked potential exams, my diagnosis is I have over 20 white spots in my brain, they are not lesions. I have active lesions in my thoracic spine, levels T2-5. After almost 4 years of testing and nothing has changed and that's a "Good Thing!"

[JTZES]

I'm not a DR. But yes a spinal tap would confirm if it is MS.

The 3 testing protocols are a head MRI then a MRI of the Cervical spine and the final and the main confirmation is the test of the spinal fluid. It would be a formal confirmation.

[sashaming1]

Typical MRIs don't see into the grey brain matter (only the white) and won't see those lesions I understand.