Australia
A 33-year-old male asked:
L'hermittes occurred w/o other ms symptoms. mri of c spine & brain clear. vep ok. but- lumbar puncture detected bands. what are chances of having ms?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. Bennett Machanicanswered
Neurology 54 years experience
Fairly high, but: There are other causes for lhermitte's such as vitamin b-12 problems, and even lyme disease. Make certain that other potential disorders are excluded. Although the oligoclonal bands correlate very highly with ms, other immune disorders could cause presence. Maybe check peripheral nerve function on a screening emg, just to be sure. Most docs would do followup MRI in 6 months.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Jun 10, 2014
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits - just $39!
50% off with $15/month membership
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.