Spinal MRI?

[jenkay]

Another question...

Every year I have a Brain MRI which has always been clean, actually going for one tomorrow but I've been seeing some things in litature about having a spinal mri with Sjs.  My rheumy was going to order the spine but wasn't sure what to list so we figured we'd wait until I saw Dr. Birnbaum.

Have any of you had spinal mri's, do they look at the entire spine?  Are they looking for the same lesions they do on the brain mri?

Thanks so much.

[Linda196]

The spinal MRI can be ordered for the whole spine or for specific vertebra for example they could order "spinal C1-T12 inclusive " which would show the neck, from the base of the skull, to the bottom of the rib cage, but not the lower back of pelvic area. If there is any demylenation (shedding of the myelin covering of the nerves) or plaque formation (deposits of the myelin that was shed somewhere else), it will show up.

Since you're planning to see Dr Birnbaum any way, it may be best to wait and see what he orders, since he will know exactly what he's looking for.

[TerriJ]

JenKay,

I am very interested in your visit with Dr. Birnbaum and what tests he will have done.  I have had two MRI's of my brain and one of my cervical spine.  Nothing showed up with the exception of some mild degenerative disc disease.  They said for a 49 yr. old female it was nothing unusual.

Terri

[jenkay]

Thanks so much for the information.

[allium]

Hi Jen:

I will be having a 3T (the most intense) spinal MRI this Saturday.  I've had two brain MRIs which showed white matter leisions, and a cervical MRI, that showed a lot of DDD, arthritis, and cord compression.  I've also had a spinal tap;  all of these things still haven't gotten me a Dx for the cause of my neuro problems and the other AI like problems..  I am sero neg for AI's so far, and haven't had a lip biopsy.

I am hoping that the spinal MRI will turn up what is causing my face, hands, feet, and legs going numb.  Or, at least show something like a tiny leprechaun, that I can make money with on the fireman's carnival circut.

I also hope that who interprets this MRI will know what they are looking at (as a SjS possbility), instead of just looking for the usual stuff. 

Glad that Dr. Birnbaum agreed to see you.

Sheila

[lindar]

I think the person who interprets the MRI's is the often the key as to what is found/diagnosed.  I'm not sure they know what to look for in sjs neuro issues.  I would certainly tell them you have Sjogren's when they do a history before the MRI.  My white matter lesions were attributed to "vascular problems" "hypertension, diabetes, migraines".  I would guess they see more people with these issues than with Sjogren's so they mention the most common.  My neurologist believes they are a result of sjs.