What can mimic MS on an MRI?

Some of the most common mimics include migraine and chronic cerebrovascular disease, according to Dr Schiess. Vasculitic autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjögren's syndrome can also result in white matter abnormalities on MRI.

What can be mistaken for MS?

Can MS be misdiagnosed for something else?

A wide range of conditions can be mistaken for MS, including: migraine, cerebral small vessel disease, fibromyalgia, functional neurological disorders, and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, along with uncommon inflammatory, infectious and metabolic conditions (1, 3).

How do you know if it's MS or something else?

People should consider the diagnosis of MS if they have one or more of these symptoms: vision loss in one or both eyes. acute paralysis in the legs or along one side of the body. acute numbness and tingling in a limb.

Can MRI misdiagnosed MS?

Misinterpretation of abnormal MRI findings is a frequent contributor to misdiagnosis of MS. One study found that only 11% of patients who were referred to a MS subspecialty center based primarily on an abnormal MRI were subsequently diagnosed with MS.

what are the MS mimics that you don"t want to miss

Do brain lesions always mean MS?

Although MRI is a very useful diagnostic tool, a normal MRI of the brain does not rule out the possibility of MS. About 5 percent of people who are confirmed to have MS do not initially have brain lesions evidenced by MRI.

Can you have demyelination without MS?

Other non-MS demyelinating disorders

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) — A separate disease from MS that shares several clinical features. NMO most often causes visual changes in both eyes and symptoms caused by long lesions in the spinal cord.

What causes brain lesions besides MS?

Brain lesions can be caused by injury, infection, exposure to certain chemicals, problems with the immune system, and more.

Can anxiety symptoms mimic MS?

Unfortunately, anxiety causes many of the same symptoms as the early stages of MS. MS is one of the health issues that comes up most when those with anxiety search for their symptoms online, and millions of those with anxiety convince themselves that they might have MS.

Can a nerve conduction test diagnose MS?

To be accurately diagnosed with MS, your doctor will order a complete set of MRI studies, nerve conduction studies and possibly a spinal tap. From those results the doctor will determine if your symptoms are attributable to MS.

Can Guillain Barre Syndrome be mistaken for MS?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) are diseases of the nervous system. They're not the same, but they do have a lot of similarities. Both MS and GBS are autoimmune diseases. This means they cause your body's immune system to attack its own tissues.

What is the McDonald criteria for MS?

To fulfill a diagnosis of MS based on the 2017 McDonald criteria, an individual must have: evidence of CNS damage that is disseminating in space, or appearing in multiple regions of the nervous system. evidence of damage that is disseminating in time, or occurring at different points in time.

Can Sjogren's mimic MS?

Abstract. Background: Primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) with central nervous system involvement and antiphospholipid syndrome have been reported to mimic multiple sclerosis (MS). SS has also been found in patients diagnosed with definite MS.

Does early stages of MS show up on MRI?

The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may show areas of abnormality that suggest MS, though the MRI in and of itself does not make the diagnosis. Spinal fluid testing may show that the immune system is active in and around the brain and spinal cord, supporting the diagnosis.

What does MS neuropathy feel like?

Neuropathic pain happens from “short circuiting” of the nerves that carry signals from the brain to the body because of damage from MS. These pain sensations feel like burning, stabbing, sharp and squeezing sensations.

Can you have MS with negative ANA?

Regarding ANA serology in patients with MS, 25.2% and 74.8% of the patients with MS were negative and positive, respectively. Among the positive cases, 60%, 11.3%, and 3.4% were mildly positive, moderately positive, and strongly positive for ANA, respectively.

Does MS show up as inflammation in blood work?

While there is no definitive blood test for MS, blood tests can rule out other conditions that cause symptoms similar to those of MS, including lupus erythematosis, Sjogren's, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, some infections, and rare hereditary diseases.

Do MS and fibromyalgia have similar symptoms?

Fatigue, or feeling tired all the time, is a common symptom of MS and fibromyalgia. Other similarities include: Age.

What does MS feel like in the beginning?

Numbness or Tingling

A lack of feeling or a pins-and-needles sensation can be the first sign of the nerve damage from MS. It usually happens in the face, arms, or legs, and on one side of the body. It also tends to go away on its own.

Can MS be mistaken for a brain tumor?

Tumefactive multiple sclerosis is a rare form of multiple sclerosis (MS) with symptoms similar to those of a brain tumor. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, the condition appears as tumor-like lesions larger than two centimeters.

What causes white matter lesions on MRI?

Summary. White spots on a brain MRI are not always a reason for concern. There are many possible causes, including vitamin deficiencies, infections, migraines, and strokes. Other risk factors for white spots include age, genetics, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.

What does it mean when you have white matter on a brain MRI?

White matter disease is commonly detected on brain MRI of aging individuals as white matter hyperintensities (WMH), or 'leukoaraiosis.” Over the years it has become increasingly clear that the presence and extent of WMH is a radiographic marker of small cerebral vessel disease and an important predictor of the life- ...

Can Covid cause demyelination?

Accumulating evidence confirms the SARS-CoV-2 viral infection as a risk factor of demyelination both in the peripheral and central nervous systems. In agreement with this idea, Zanin et al. reported a case of COVID-19 admitted for interstitial pneumonia and seizures.

What types of symptoms would you expect from a demyelinating disease?

What does demyelination feel like?

MS and other demyelinating diseases most commonly result in vision loss, muscle weakness, muscle stiffness and spasms, loss of coordination, change in sensation, pain, and changes in bladder and bowel function.