Hello and welcome to HCM. As an Urologist,i must assure you, that retention isn t a cause of MS. It may be seen after causing irritable bladder symptoms usually. First, i would like to know, at what level of the spine, was the lesion on MRI. MS is more often diagnosed by the symptoms and other tests like the spinal fluid tap,and the evoked potential of the brain, after MRI scan. What medication are you taking at present, as that can cause retention. Have you done an ultrasound scan of abdomen, and urine flowmetry test. As prostate gland obstruction is a likely cause at your age. If you ve any doubts, you can send it as a direct question to me. Dr.Matthew J. Mangat.