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Ask any question you want about Multiple Sclerosis and one of our experts will answer it as soon as possible.
Here is your MRI 101 answer: 1. T2 lesions are the white spots observed on MRI using the typical imaging sequences acquired to diagnose and monitor Multiple Sclerosis. The most popular of these sequences is a FLAIR image (this stands for Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery). FLAIR images are used to subtract away the white appearance of water in and around the brain (mostly Cerebrospinal fluid) that interferes with visualization of brain tissue. When the area or “lesion” in the brain is white on T2 weighted images, this could mean the area is undergoing a temporary process like inflammation and will recover completely or the area has undergone permanent scaring. We are not able to differentiate these very different outcomes within the tissue by this imaging sequence alone . 2. T1 lesions are black spots or “holes” observed within the white matter of the brain. The T1 lesions or “black holes” within the brain can be caused by temporary process like acute inflammation or permanent scaring and tissue damage. The way to determine if a “black hole” is a permanent scar is to determine if it persists over a period usually greater than 3 months. Usually, the blacker the lesion the more you can be sure that the tissue in the region has been destroyed. Eventually, the tissue is replaced entirely by water and appears totally black on T1 weighted sequences and FLAIR sequences. -Rip Kinkel, MD How can I differentiate between PPMS and Multi-system Atrophy, which is a secondary diagnosis?5/5/2014
It would be very difficult to diagnose Multiple Sclerosis and Multi-system Atrophy (MSA) in the same person.
In my experience, the main reason for confusing these two disorders is misinterpretation of MRI findings and an early incorrect diagnosis of MS that is not corrected once it becomes clear that the correct diagnosis is multi-system atrophy. --Rip Kinkel, MD My blogs are usually posted in the 'patient blog' section, but since I have a question to ask we thought placing this blog in the Q&A section for the Virtual MS Center might be more appropriate. It's been a little while since my last blog due to yet again; medical issues. That being said, we all can relate I'm sure. As you can tell from some of my blogs, I love to travel. My last trip to the Carribbean had its moments, but the negative impact on my physical symptoms was not very positive. This leads me to my next dilemma. Some of the symptoms have not resolved and have caused additional mobility issues for me. I have been planning to take my daughter to Nashville to the country music festival for a year now. I find myself unable to do much walking due to weakness and sudden onset back pain. Mt first thoughts were to look through the blogs for advice and speak with our mobility specialist, Tom Mellor. I placed a call to Tom and within twenty four hours, I received a return call with scooter information and suggested companies that I could find in Tennessee. Although I was not able to rent a GoGo Traveler as he suggested, the company he recommended was very helpful. If my symptoms persist, I will take all of his advice to help me determine what to purchase for the future. Although Tom was extremely helpful, I'm reaching out to my fellow MS patients, bloggers, and caregivers for any tricks and/or tips you can give me about using a scooter...everything from are they safe to leave out of site, to battery function, and beyond. I'm nervous about having to travel with one and I don't want others to be inconvenienced by it. So fellow journey members, is there anything you could add to ease my mind and make this trip more enjoyable? Please write a comment below or send me an email at susansheehanrn@aol.com --Susan A BIT ABOUT SUSAN...Susan is a registered nurse who worked in high risk obstetrics at Brigham and Women's for twenty years. She is also a certified nurse paralegal. She is currently not practicing as she is disabled because of MS. She was diagnosed 8 years ago with RRMS and has a daughter who also has MS. |
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