How Is Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosed Before A Prognosis And Appropriate Treatment?

Posted on Wed, 13 Jan 2021

Question: How is MS diagnosed?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Diagnosis of M.S

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome

I appreciate your concern

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder of CNS. It has a relapsing or progressive course that may vary from one patient to the other.
The neurological deficits are separated by both time and space i.e once they will have visual symptoms then a week later they may complain ataxia.

For the diagnosis clinical, radiological and laboratory confirmation can be combined.

MRI with goadolinium contrast is the most accurate test to diagnose MS
CSF oligoclonal banding is done only if the MRI is inconclusive but the suspicion for MS is high
Evoked potential response may also be used but its not very specific to MS

Wishing you best of health

Thanks

Dr. M.S. Khalil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (14 hours later)

Thank you for your answer. Can you tell me something about the symptoms of MS;
and could you explain somewhat what CSF oligocnolal banding is?
Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (48 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
explained

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

As explained earlier in MS , the manifestation/symptoms are separated in time and space”, episodes occur months or years apart and affect different anatomic locations of the body.

The cardinal symptoms include

Optic neuritis/ Visual loss
Fatigue
Ataxia
Bladder hyperactivity
Urinary retention
Impotence
Dysesthesia
Muscle Spasticity

In M.S patients there is an elevated IgG index (Oligoclonal bands) found in 70 to 90 % patients. This is used when the MRI is not confirmatory and is usually not required.

Wishing you best of health

Thanks

Dr. M.S. Khalil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad