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Is MRI A Confirmatory Test For Multiple Sclerosis?

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Posted on Thu, 19 May 2016
Question: I have a 13 year old daughter with type 1 diabetes. She also has history of Epstein barr and cat scratch disease. They now believe she is showing onset signs of MS. She has a consistent elevation in her SED rate, currently 24....and an equally consistent abnormal ANA of 1:320 with speckled pattern. Any insight on confirmation that they believe will be gotten with an MRI scan?
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
MRI could give additional information, nerve conduction study needed too.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

Multiple sclerosis is a very rare condition to be found at that age, moreover fatigue and legs weakness could be related to a number of other conditions besides MS.

Since ANA is found positive, and elevated sedimentation rate, autoimmune diseases should be considered and evaluated further, including lupus.

In my opinion, peripheral neuropathy caused both by diabetes and/or Epstein-Barr, should be considered as a possible cause of fatigue and legs weakness.

A spinal cord and brain MRI could give additional information about involvement of central nervous system or not, and could confirm/exclude MS, but nerve conduction study and evoked potentials should be done too, to evaluate peripheral nervous system status too.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care.


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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4493 Questions

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Is MRI A Confirmatory Test For Multiple Sclerosis?

Brief Answer: MRI could give additional information, nerve conduction study needed too. Detailed Answer: Hello and thanks for using HCM. I have read your question and understand your concerns. Multiple sclerosis is a very rare condition to be found at that age, moreover fatigue and legs weakness could be related to a number of other conditions besides MS. Since ANA is found positive, and elevated sedimentation rate, autoimmune diseases should be considered and evaluated further, including lupus. In my opinion, peripheral neuropathy caused both by diabetes and/or Epstein-Barr, should be considered as a possible cause of fatigue and legs weakness. A spinal cord and brain MRI could give additional information about involvement of central nervous system or not, and could confirm/exclude MS, but nerve conduction study and evoked potentials should be done too, to evaluate peripheral nervous system status too. Hope you found the answer helpful. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care.