Avonex

Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis

Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis

No single test can confirm or rule out a multiple sclerosis diagnosis. Rather, your neurologist uses a combination of tests and exams, in addition to a thorough look at your medical history, to determine whether or not you have the disease. Your neurologist will look for signs consistent with a multiple sclerosis diagnosis across all the information collected from these exams and will also use this information to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms.

Don't wait: see a neurologist

For many people, the time between their first visit to the healthcare provider about their symptoms to a confirmed diagnosis of multiple sclerosis can be weeks, months, even years. You may see several physicians over many appointments before the diagnosis is made. If you have had only one episode of MS symptoms, you may be told to wait until you have a second episode before returning for further tests. This can be very frustrating and lead to increased anxiety.

If you think you may have multiple sclerosis, it is important you see a neurologist who has experience with the disease in order to receive an accurate MS diagnosis as quickly as possible. Even if you have had only one episode of symptoms, make an appointment with a neurologist who knows MS. There are treatments available to help slow progression of disability and reduce the number of flare-ups (relapses), even if you have had only one episode and have an MRI consistent with multiple sclerosis.

Early MS treatment is essential

A proper diagnosis is the first step in getting treatment to help you feel better, whether you have multiple sclerosis or another condition. Early multiple sclerosis diagnosis is especially important because early treatment can help slow the progression of disability. In fact, early MS treatment can help even if you don't have visible symptoms of multiple sclerosis. That's because the disease often progresses silently, causing nerve damage before you're even aware of any problems.

Tests used to help your neurologist reach a multiple sclerosis diagnosis are described below.

 

Medical history

Your medical history is extremely important to helping your physician make a multiple sclerosis diagnosis. It's important for you to be as thorough as possible in answering questions, to give your physician the most accurate information. Something you may think is irrelevant may be very important to making a multiple sclerosis diagnosis. Questions your physician may ask include the following.

  • Describe your symptoms; what do they feel like; where on the body do they occur?
  • When did they begin?
  • If they went away, how long did they last?
  • What makes your symptoms feel better or worse?
  • Describe other medical problems you may have.
  • Describe your family health history, including any family members with MS.

 

Neurological exam

In the neurological exam, the neurologist will examine your vision, balance, coordination, reflexes, and muscle strength, as well as your ability to feel pain, temperature, and touch. For example, the neurologist may use an instrument to tap lightly on your feet and other areas of the body, examine your eyes using a pen light, and observe how you walk.

 

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Magnetic resonance imaging is a noninvasive test that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce computerized images of your brain and spinal cord. The MRI is one of the most important tests for a multiple sclerosis diagnosis because it can show if your central nervous system has the scars and lesions associated with the disease.

 

Spinal fluid test

The spinal fluid test, also known as a lumbar puncture or spinal tap, helps your neurologist see if the fluid that surrounds your central nervous system shows signs of multiple sclerosis. A long, thin needle is inserted between two bones in the lower spine to extract a sample of the colorless fluid. A laboratory then examines the sample to see if it contains elevated levels of immune system cells that are often seen in people with a multiple sclerosis diagnosis.

 

Evoked potentials

This MS test is used to measure how fast your brain responds to sensory input, such as flashing lights, sounds, or electrical stimulation. The examiner places wires on your scalp over the areas of the brain involved in receiving sensory information. Then the examiner provides specific sensory input for testing. For example, you may hear a series of clicks, be asked to look at screen with a checkerboard pattern, and be given mild electrical stimulation to your legs. The wires on your scalp record how fast your brain receives the sensory input. If the brain response is slower than normal, it can be an indication that the myelin in your brain or spinal cord has suffered inflammation or damage due to multiple sclerosis.

1-22107-01