When diagnosing multiple sclerosis, can your brain mri be free of lesions, but your spine have them?

Yes: Some studies put this rate at about 13%.

Spinal plaques: Yes, although not common, there are situations in which the brain imaging is normal and a ms plaque could occur in the spinal cord. Myelin, the insulating material for nerves is altered and abnormal in ma plaques.

Yes: It can happen...Not commonly. There is something called devic's disease where the long lesion is in the cord and it might have a normal brain.

Yes: A lot less common but have seen it on occasion. MRI of neck can confirm, and spinal fluid might be also helpful.