My MRI report...

Tomorrow is my neurology appointment. It will be an interesting day to say the least. I have a feeling that either my neurologist will absolutely adore me for having studied up on MS so much, or absolutely hate me for it. Also, my youngest daughter is only 6 weeks old and I have no intention of stopping breastfeeding. I know this will greatly limit treatment options. In fact, Copaxone is the only medication that is considered by the FDA to be alright while breastfeeding so long as both the child and mother are carefully observed.

However, I digress. The purpose of this post is to share my MRI report. I picked it up from the Dr's earlier today so that I can bring it to my neurologist tomorrow. I typed it word for word into my computer so that I will have it for my own records as well. I only wish I had a scanner (or access to one before tomorrow morning) so that I could have a copy of the films as well. So, without further ado, here it is.

M.R.I. RADIOLOGY REPORT-M.R.I. PERFORMED ON 9/22/08

STUDY: MRI Brain.

HISTORY: Difficulty moving right hand and wrist, and numbness in the left side of the body. Patient recently gave birth. No comparison study.

TECHNIQUE: An MRI of the brain was performed on the 1.5 Tesla magnet, utilizing axial T1, T2 FLAIR and diffusion-weighted images, as well as sagittal T1 and FLAIR images.

FINDINGS:

There is no mass effect, midline shift, extra-axial fluid collection or hemorrhage identified. There is no evidence of an acute infarction. No restricted diffusion is detected. The ventricles, cortical sulci and basilar cisterns are normal for the patient's age. Within the periventricular white matter, there are multiple focal areas of abnormal T2 and FLAIR signal. These extend out from the margin of the ventricles and the corpus collosum (Dawson's fingers). Some of the lesions are somewhat flame-shaped. There is no predilection of these signal abnormalities for the posterior, occipital parietal white matter. The major intra-cranial vessels demonstrate their expected signal flow voids. The visualized paranasal sinuses and mastoid air cells are clear.

IMPRESSION:

Distinctive periventricular T2 and FLAIR signal changes within the white matter. These have the appearance Dawson's fingers and some of them have a flame-like appearance. These findings, given the patient's age, are highly suggestive of a demylenating process. Other etiologies such as a vasculitis or unusual infectious process should also be considered. The pattern of the signal abnormalities is not consistent with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. The MRI of the brain is otherwise normal.