HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Can I Test Positive Through Spinal Fluid For MS?

I am a 53 year old female and have been living with Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis I was diagnosed with Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis through my neurologist taking spinal fluid,and taking MRI images of my brain and was told I tested positive for M.S. I was 47 years old when being diagnosed with M.S. this happen in 2006. I have had relapses, some lasting 2 week some lasting a month or longer. since being diagnosed I have been on Rebif (interferon beta-1a) since 2006. .Today I was told that I may have been misdiagnosed I may have Lupis. Is this possible? how can I test positive through spinal fluid for M.S. and now be told that I may have had Lupis. can you have both lupis and Ms? I am now 53. neither M.S. or lupis has been found in my family.
Thu, 7 Aug 2014
Report Abuse
Neurologist,  's  Response
Spinal Fluid testing is not really considered sensitive enough anymore and in fact, unnecessary with MRI being considered the gold standard for detecting MS lesions in the brain or spinal cord. It is inaccurate to say that so and so "tested positive" for MS. There is no single laboratory or diagnostic study that can draw a conclusion of POSITIVE for MS. It doesn't exist. Labs and studies may provide supportive evidence for MS but that's a far cry from CONCLUDING that something is MS based on the lab test. And let's be clear...there is no single test for LUPUS either. All of these tests are done to provide supportive evidence. The final conclusion must be one made on clinical grounds by the doctor making the diagnosis. If you were diagnosed by a neurologist with MS and extensive testing and MRI of the brain were obtained. Then, I would have to say that it's a stretch to say you actually DON'T have MS. However, not impossible either. Some neurologists may not have seen that many cases of MS in their training careers or their practices to be able to accurately diagnose. It just all really depends on how patients present and what evidence they have to support their diagnosis.
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Cytokine


Loading Online Doctors....
Can I Test Positive Through Spinal Fluid For MS?

Spinal Fluid testing is not really considered sensitive enough anymore and in fact, unnecessary with MRI being considered the gold standard for detecting MS lesions in the brain or spinal cord. It is inaccurate to say that so and so tested positive for MS. There is no single laboratory or diagnostic study that can draw a conclusion of POSITIVE for MS. It doesn t exist. Labs and studies may provide supportive evidence for MS but that s a far cry from CONCLUDING that something is MS based on the lab test. And let s be clear...there is no single test for LUPUS either. All of these tests are done to provide supportive evidence. The final conclusion must be one made on clinical grounds by the doctor making the diagnosis. If you were diagnosed by a neurologist with MS and extensive testing and MRI of the brain were obtained. Then, I would have to say that it s a stretch to say you actually DON T have MS. However, not impossible either. Some neurologists may not have seen that many cases of MS in their training careers or their practices to be able to accurately diagnose. It just all really depends on how patients present and what evidence they have to support their diagnosis.