HomeAnswersNeurologymultiple sclerosisMy MRI reports reveal white plaques. What do they indicate?

Is spotting white plaques in the MRI a warning sign for multiple sclerosis?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At November 9, 2022
Reviewed AtNovember 16, 2022

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Ten years back, I suffered numbness in my right arm. So I was referred to a neurologist who advised me to do an MRI scan, a few blood tests, and nerve conduction studies. My results were reviewed by my physician and were normal. After that, the numbness disappeared, and I could not get a follow-up appointment with my neurologist. Six years back, I was diagnosed with remitting-relapsing multiple sclerosis after the results of another MRI scan, lumber puncher, blood tests, and nerve conduction studies. Later, when I requested my medical records, it said the MRI showed scattered white matter plaques.

My query is, are white matter plaques dangerous and a red warning sign for multiple sclerosis?

Kindly help.

Answered by Dr. Aida Abaz Quka

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thank you for your query.

I understand your concern and would explain that those white matter lesions on your previous MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) seem related to the diagnosis of RRMS (remitting-relapsing multiple sclerosis). But, the isolated white matter lesions do not always indicate MS (multiple sclerosis). They can also be related to other medical conditions like migraine, trauma, demyelinating disorders, past infections, etc. There are specific radiological criteria based on the number and location of white matter lesions on MRI, which should be fulfilled to diagnose MS. On the other hand, a single clinical episode (like limb numbness) is not enough to diagnose MS. For this reason. Therefore, it is important to follow up with a brain MRI to investigate the presence of a lesion or progression in the patient's clinical history. The diagnosis might not have been established then, as there were not enough lesions to fulfill the radiological criteria of MS. However, if a brain MRI had been taken earlier, as you had clinical symptomatology (hand numbness), it would have helped more.

I hope this has helped you. Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Aida Abaz Quka
Dr. Aida Abaz Quka

Neurology

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