MRI - and Multiple Sclerosis

An MRI Scan showing lesions on the brain

Monday will see me in Hobart to lay in a huge machine that takes in laymans terms, a series of very detailed xrays of my spine and brain. This MRI - Multi Resonance Imaging is a very new and wonderful tool that actually photographys slices of the central nervous system. The MS lesions are then reasonably easily identified by the WHITE areas as can be seen above. Often a contrasting die is injected in the patient and a contrast definition will be observed of those lesions that are presently active. These lesions are what causes the problems in multiple sclerosis. MS actually means multiple lesions. These lesions are the scar tissue when the nerve is attacked the fatty mylen sheath is removed. Its still very much a mystery to science and even Eastern Medicine why this disease occurs.

MS lesions result in either the loss, erroneous or poor transmission of electrical impulses along the nerves resulting in the myriad symptoms that makes up this disease. The impact of the lesions depends entirely on there position in the central nervous system.

An MRI Showing Lesion on Spinal Cord

A very critical area is the spine as the area is very small and even very tiny lesions can cause great problems in this area to function of the lower body. This spinal lesion here is almost identical to the one I have on my last scan. Since I had my last scan there have been a range of new symptoms in my lower body, and I am dearly hoping this doesnt mean a new lesion has developed or an older one grown more. In MS the worst result of spinal lesions is either paraplegia or quadraplegia but this if very rare. As with much of MS the disability can come and then go again back into a lengthy remission with little in the way of symptoms. Monday will indeed reveal what will may happen next.Much more can be seen at my site about MS at:

http://www.geocities.com/wanderingalbatross/ms/ms.html