Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Does My MRI Scan Report Indicate?
Posted on
Sun, 31 Jul 2016
Sun, 31 Jul 2016
Answered on
Mon, 22 Aug 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : Mr MRI came back normal without lesions. What condition can this be?
Brief Answer:
Multifocal motor neuropathy likely
Detailed Answer:
I read your question and the report carefully and I understand your concern.
It would have been useful if you could have added some more info on your symptoms, their onset and evolution in time. Tests are important but they should always be correlated to symptoms and neurological exam.
If I were to judge based on that report only I would say that the most likely condition would be Multifocal motor neuropathy with conduction block. It is a condition in which there is an abnormal activity of the immune system producing antibodies which act upon and damage the peripheral nerves, more specifically the myelin sheath which surrounds the nerve axons.
In order to confirm the diagnosis you should have blood tests for these antibodies called anti GM1. A spinal tap is also usually done.
If diagnosis is confirmed fortunately the symptoms respond well to immunoglobulin treatment.
Multifocal motor neuropathy likely
Detailed Answer:
I read your question and the report carefully and I understand your concern.
It would have been useful if you could have added some more info on your symptoms, their onset and evolution in time. Tests are important but they should always be correlated to symptoms and neurological exam.
If I were to judge based on that report only I would say that the most likely condition would be Multifocal motor neuropathy with conduction block. It is a condition in which there is an abnormal activity of the immune system producing antibodies which act upon and damage the peripheral nerves, more specifically the myelin sheath which surrounds the nerve axons.
In order to confirm the diagnosis you should have blood tests for these antibodies called anti GM1. A spinal tap is also usually done.
If diagnosis is confirmed fortunately the symptoms respond well to immunoglobulin treatment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
My symptoms are numbness and sensory loss. can this be so even if the neuropathy is only a motor neuropathy?
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for that info (though you still say nothing on the involved areas, time of onset, evolution in time etc).
The sensory loss doesn't fit that much. In that case the diagnosis to be differentiated with is usually CIDP (chronic inflammatory demielinating neuropathy). The sensory loss should have been noted on the test though if they tested sensory nerves (they do not mention that but I think they have, it's routine.
So the antibodies test and the spinal tap become even more important to differentiate between these two possibilities.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for that info (though you still say nothing on the involved areas, time of onset, evolution in time etc).
The sensory loss doesn't fit that much. In that case the diagnosis to be differentiated with is usually CIDP (chronic inflammatory demielinating neuropathy). The sensory loss should have been noted on the test though if they tested sensory nerves (they do not mention that but I think they have, it's routine.
So the antibodies test and the spinal tap become even more important to differentiate between these two possibilities.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I feel a numbness or sensory loss throughout my whole body. I dont know if its numbness or if i am describing it wrong. I dont rememeber a specific time of onset although i know its been there atleast 10 years.
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
What remains unclear from your history is whether there is or not objective sensory loss. There is a discrepancy between you reporting sensory symptoms and the conduction studies reporting none.
So a neurological physical exam by a neurologist is necessary to evaluate sensation. That is that hasn't been done already, since you were prescribed MRI and EMG someone must have examined you before....if yes should discuss with him/her what were the findings.
If no objective sensory loss was found then the multifocal motor neuropathy suggestion remains. If it is a mixed sensory and motor form then CIDP and XXXXXXX Sumner syndrome (multifocal acquired demyelinating sensory and motor neuropathy [MADSAM]) must be considered.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
What remains unclear from your history is whether there is or not objective sensory loss. There is a discrepancy between you reporting sensory symptoms and the conduction studies reporting none.
So a neurological physical exam by a neurologist is necessary to evaluate sensation. That is that hasn't been done already, since you were prescribed MRI and EMG someone must have examined you before....if yes should discuss with him/her what were the findings.
If no objective sensory loss was found then the multifocal motor neuropathy suggestion remains. If it is a mixed sensory and motor form then CIDP and XXXXXXX Sumner syndrome (multifocal acquired demyelinating sensory and motor neuropathy [MADSAM]) must be considered.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
