Please explain my MRI report

[Snowdrift]

I'm firmly in limbo, with a clean brain MRI, abnormal neuro exam (hyperreflexia+babinski), and at least two distinct weeks-long episodes of neuro symptoms. I also had a c-spine MRI because my neuro's first guess was spinal stenosis.

It was done without contrast. How important is the contrast in looking for lesions? The report says "no signal intensity change" and then describes in detail mild arthritic changes.

Does that mean no lesions? Does that mean they weren't looking for lesions?

Neuro referred me a university hospital and I'll go there in five more weeks. I do want to have an MS specialist look at my brain MRI to make sure it's negative; my neuro didn't look at mine, she just read the report.

So the c-spine MRI doesn't really matter; I'm just curious what it means to have a non-contrast MRI report like mine.

Thanks.

[lstrl]

The contrast is to see if there are any active lesions. If there are any lesions, they can see them without contrast, they just won't know if they're currently active or not.

It sounds like no lesions were found, which is a good thing. Whether or not they're specifically looking for lesions, if they're present, the radiologist should find them unless they're really small and hard to see.

[Tevs]

I just wanted to echo that you are so right in my opinion to have the neurologist actually look at your MRI CD. When I originally had an MRI, radiologist report read that it was normal. Neurologist did not look at CD. I had another neuro appt with an MS specialist that I'd scheduled the appt for two months prior. I got concerned with the symptoms I was having so that's why I saw the first neuro who could get me in quicker.

So I almost cancel the 2nd neuro appt with the ms specialist but decide to go anyways for second opinion. First thing he asks for is my MRI CD. Puts the CD in right in front of me and immediately spots an area of concern. This led to another MRI with contrast where a lesion was found that was missed by the first neurologist who relied on the radiologist report only.

Still in limbo but I guess my point is, good call to always have a neuro. look at your actual MRI rather than read just the report.

I'm not saying anything was missed on yours by any means, my post is not intended to worry you. Let us know how your appt goes.

[Jennagain]

Strangely enough something similar happened to me. Hard to believe such differing findings appear as you would think MRI results would be clear cut. In my case radiologist report said there were two lesions. First neurologist said he did not believe those lesions even existed, then went to second neurologist who said no in fact they did exist and there were actually three more!! You really do not know who to believe, but when you have real symptoms you want to believe whoever has the answer.

[Snowdrift]

Thanks for your comments. I'm still waiting...two weeks from today, I'll again start the process of finding answers.

I'm really frustrated that the neuro didn't look at the images herself. It's not like my symptoms are particularly non-specific: they mostly are thing that usually indicate spinal lesions of some kind.

I'm wondering again if it could even be stenosis--my c-spine report says "no clinically significant cord compression," but my gait, bowel, and bladder problems say that something is very, very wrong.

Something "clinically significant" is happening somewhere, or I'd walk without lurching, and would be devoting hundreds of dollars and insane amounts of time to performing the bodily functions that were effortless (and, y'know, free) a year and a half ago.

[ejonesbowlie]

I had a similar experience as others. First MRI was not done correctly and on top of that it was read incorrectly. Went to an MS specialist and he saw some "suspicious areas". New MRI on a T3 machine...done per the MS protocol and what do you know...found lesions. Anyway, as others have said..not saying your neuro read anything wrong, but if you strongly suspect MS a trip to a specialist may not hurt. Regardless..I hope you find answers as it is very frustrating not knowing

[Snowdrift]

I asked my neuro about T3 machines. She said there are a few, but they're never used for diagnosis, just for clinical studies to track disease progression more closely.

I was skeptical, given what I've read here and other places online. One hates to be that pers

[Snowdrift]

And my post again posted before it was done.

Apologies. So frustrating.