Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Do Presence Of White Spots In A MRI Scan Suggest?
Question: I am looking for a neurologist. My daughter had an MRI that showed white spots. Her symptoms were pain in her arm and a numbness. She is 27. The GP said it may be MS. What else could this show? She is an avid athlete.
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
White matter lesions in a young individual are in the overwhelming part due to MS.
Whether there are other causes of such lesions...yes there are, can be multiple strokes, vasculitis, infections, remnants of old brain damage due to hypoxia or trauma.
That being said though, the MRI usually differentiates MS from those other causes based on their characteristic location and presence of new enhancing lesions with administration of contrast. I am sure the reports has more additional information than simply white spots.
So if the report describes lesions to be typical and there are no clinical data to indicate infection or stroke I would say the diagnosis is probably of MS. Perhaps if you have the full report you could upload it here so that I could look at it. If in doubt a spine MRI and a spinal tap is the next step.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
White matter lesions in a young individual are in the overwhelming part due to MS.
Whether there are other causes of such lesions...yes there are, can be multiple strokes, vasculitis, infections, remnants of old brain damage due to hypoxia or trauma.
That being said though, the MRI usually differentiates MS from those other causes based on their characteristic location and presence of new enhancing lesions with administration of contrast. I am sure the reports has more additional information than simply white spots.
So if the report describes lesions to be typical and there are no clinical data to indicate infection or stroke I would say the diagnosis is probably of MS. Perhaps if you have the full report you could upload it here so that I could look at it. If in doubt a spine MRI and a spinal tap is the next step.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
