How is multiple sclerosis diagnosed?

Detective Work: No one diagnostic study can stand alone to conclusively diagnose ms. A neurologist must be a detective, hunting out clues from symptoms suggesting abnormal function in the brain or spinal cord white matter, of appropriate duration (greater than 24 hours) coupled with abnormalities on examination. Mri, spinal fluid, and certain blood tests. This information can help exclude MS mimickers.

Multiple Sclerosis: It requires symptoms first of all. If there is a concern then it usually involves an MRI of the brain and usually a spinal tap looking for something called oligoclonal bands.

Some basics: Based on both history and physical exam, suggesting problems intermittently over time, and different areas of brain, spinal cord, or eyes. To confirm, the classical MRI will display appropriate new and old lesions scattered over brain white matter. On occasion, spinal fluid abnormalities will add further confirmation.

Diagnosin' MS: MS is normally diagnosed with the information from a history, exam, brain/spinal cord MRI and spinal tap. There are criteria called MacDonald criteria that help people make the diagnosis. Even so, it is not always easy.