Is contrast dye an absolute necessity in diagnosing ms? i will be having a brain mri and spine mri, the doctor put without contrast. i do have some precautions about the gadolinum and its ability to lodge into the brain?

Gadolinium is widely used for MRIs and has low toxicity in people with normal kidney function. There is merit to your concern. You should discuss it with your doctor to better flesh out the risk benefit ratio. Visit this site for info: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4879157/ Wish you good health!

The current McDonald criteria used by neurologists includes dissemination in space and time. Gadolinium allows the diagnosis of new lesions on top of older ones and helps confirmation of the time element. If you have kidney issues, you will need to avoid contrast, but otherwise, it is best to include it when MRI is done. A spinal tap would be needed if questions arise.