A link for understanding MRIs

bntgal · Joined: 24 Jul 2006 Posts: 20

Hi ya folks,

There was a link at BT that was very helpful in explaining lesion locations. I thought I saved it, but evidently I didn't. Does anyone have a link that specifically explains lesion placement and symptoms that accompany the lesion location?

My neuro shocked me with the news that I have two new active lesions. She said it explains why I suddenly had trouble walking back in May. I have to decide whether I will switch to Rebif, Tysabri or go back to monthly one day solu infusions. Needless to say, I don't like any of the choices. I have a month to decide though. Anyway, I would like to match up the lesions from the copy of the MRI report with that site that explained it all so well. I'm hoping someone here has the link.

Thanks in advance!
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Dar

Not Red5_bc · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 61

my neuro said there was no real link between lesion placement and symptoms. He said that unlike a tumor where the regions are pretty well defined, they just don't really know which nerves go to where.

jumpstart · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 22

Matt · Joined: 21 May 2006 Posts: 961

I've been told the same thing. Sometimes, you can have a lesion in an area which usually causes a certain type of symptom, but you are asymptomatic, it isn't in JUST the right spot (this USUALLY is not the case with thoracic lesions). Other times, you can have symptoms but no lesions showing on MRI in that area. You also can't predict where future lesion-forming activity is going to occur.

Walking problems can be caused by lesions located in a huge variety of locations on MRI.

I hope whatever medication you choose works for you.

Do you know where on your MRI your two active lesions are?

bntgal · Joined: 24 Jul 2006 Posts: 20

Hi Matt, Yes there is a new lesion in my brain (it is small) and another new one on my thoracic spine. T-7. I have a stable lesion at T-2, this T-7 just popped up since my last MRI was done last year. Because of my difficulty walking, back in May, she was suspicious and had me do the MRI's a little earlier then usual, just to make sure. Her suspicion was correct, unfortunately.
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Dar

Matt · Joined: 21 May 2006 Posts: 961

Since thoracic lesions usually are symptomatic, it sounds like that could be causing the walking problems.

I HATE THORACIC LESIONS. I used to have two of them, at T-6 and T-8.

Good luck with the meds. I have no intention of going off of Beta because I don't want any more thoracic lesions...yuck.

agate · Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 2:50 pm Post subject:

Hi Dar,

I remember that a URL like the one you're looking for was posted on BrainTalk, but I can't find it.

I did find a URL on some correlations between MRI findings and MS lesions, though--specifically cerebellar lesions:

http://tinyurl.com/fsgsk

bntgal · Joined: 24 Jul 2006 Posts: 20

Thanks a bunch agate, coincidentally dizziness was the reason my MS diagnosis was made back in '93. I'm very interested in the site and plan to go back to it and this time SAVE it to my favorites. Ha! I have my MRI's and now I will be able to look at specific areas. I'm going to keep trying to find another site, maybe I'll eventually run into the site referenced at BT.

Matt, how long did it take for your lesions to become stable. I know for every lesion that shows there could be any number of lesions that aren't showing up on the MRI. I hope this isn't the beginning of leg problems for me. I just want to take the right drug that will get it to calm back down again.

My doctor and I were so excited that I had fully recovered from my May attack. I could even jump up and down on each leg 4-5 times each. We considered the MRI results just a formality to end the appointment, and instead we become aware of two new lesions. This disease just doesn't make any sense sometimes. I'm totally recovered but have two active lesions??? Weird!
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Dar

Not Red5_bc · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 61

I get to do a functional MRI in three weeks. I'm kind of excited about that. I'll get to see what my brain is doing when I answer questions and move around. It's part of a cognition study I volunteered to do.

bntgal · Joined: 24 Jul 2006 Posts: 20

Wow, Red5, that sounds so cool! I've seen it on TV and have wondered what it is really like. I hope you keep us posted and let us know what it was like and what the results revealed.
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Dar

Matt · Joined: 21 May 2006 Posts: 961

My MRI of the thoracic region actually wasn't taken untill something like 8 or 9 months after the attacks were over, so the lesions weren't active. My weakness and bladder attacks went on for 5 months. I would want to try to stop those active lesions too.

Maybe the lesions are less active now than they were before because have been going into remission (as evidenced by your symptomatic remission)?

Good luck with the fMRI, red5.

agate · Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 2:18 pm Post subject:

Dar, this might be of some help:
http://www.msfocus.org/info_symptoms.php

and this:

http://www.unitedspinal.org/publications/msqr/?p=75

bntgal · Joined: 24 Jul 2006 Posts: 20

Matt, I was on beta for about 9 months back in '95. I stopped because I never adjusted to the flu like symptoms, but I do remember how quickly I went into remission and I stayed in remission until around '99. After I began relapsing again, my doctor talked me into going on copax. Now that it isn't working as well, I am seriously considering trying Rebif. My present doctor assures me there are better ways to handle the flu like symptoms and the information I received even states that Rebif has a titration pack, so that my system can slowly adjust. Sounds good to me so far. Just have to see what my GP thinks about me going back on monthly solu pulses. That also worked great for me, so it is a tough decision.

Agate, GREAT sites, I love both of them. Thanks so much for finding them and posting the links for me. It is exactly what I was looking for.

I have ruled out Tysabri completely. I don't like the info on increased risk of infections contained in the insert. I have enough problems handling and controlling infections I don't want to start taking something that will increase my risks.
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Dar

agate · Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 10:23 am Post subject:

Dar, you wrote:

Matt · Joined: 21 May 2006 Posts: 961

The rebif sounds like a pretty good idea to me. I'm lucky in that I have no side effects with the Betaseron. Good luck.

I would personally only consider Tysabri if I were having moderate to severe flare-up after moderate to severe flare-up, some of which were leaving permanant symptoms despite taking interferon. Even then, I would most likely only take it for a limited period of time.
I can see why some people just wouldn't ever take it, though.

Matt