Did I have a Stroke or is it Multiple Sclerosis?

Here is My Question:
I went to the hospital due to a droopy left eye. The doctors said it was either a stroke or multiple sclerosis. They did test after test and came to a conclusion that it wasn't a stroke. They then proceeded to have my brain scanned through MRI. The test came back that I had a lesion. The test said: Mildly scattered periventricular and subcortical white matter hyperintensities are identified. The largest is seen in the right centrum semiovale/corona radiata and has the appearance of a Dawson's finger. There is a tiny focus of restricted diffusion seen in the left medulla. I had an MRI with and without contrast on my spine. Both came back negative of any lesions. Anyway, after this test I was scheduled for a lumbar puncture. The test results were kappa free light chain, CSF .1010 H mg/dl<.1000. This is positive. My band test came back CFS bands and olig which was can you give me some clarification on what means could condition still be considered a cis will I have to undergo more MRIs in the future? Thanks so much I love this website.

Answer:
The data provided is compelling evidence of an inflammatory central nervous system disorder. There are always uncertainties in diagnosis. This is particularly true shortly after the onset of the problem. Important questions to answer include:

1. What other problems have you experienced either consistent with or not consistent with MS? 
2. Do you have vascular risk factors that could cause small strokes? 
3. Are you in the typical age group for a new onset of MS or older (over 45)?
4. Do you have any systemic inflammatory disorders that could also affect the nervous system?

Do not become hung up on terms like Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) vs Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The term CIS signifies the uncertainties in diagnosis that often occur shortly after symptom onset and the accompanying uncertainty of an individual's long-term prognosis. But remember, being given a diagnosis of MS still leaves many uncertainties. And yes, you will need future MRI scans; this is true of people with CIS or MS. 

Revere P (Rip) Kinkel, MD
​Professor of Neurosciences
Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Program
University of California San Diego
#multiplsclerosis #MS #CIS #clinicallyisolatedsyndrome