What You Need To Know About MS Spine Lesions

Multiple sclerosis, or MS, can cause damage referred to as lesions to several parts of the central nervous system. MS is a neurological disease that causes a body’s own immune system to attack and destroy myelin. This substance is the fatty tissue that surrounds and protects nerve cells.

How Spinal Lesions Can Help in the Diagnosis of MS

We’re looking for MS doctors use a variety of techniques, including neurological exams and MRI scans. If they find MS lesions on spine, these lesions will often reside on the spinal cord, optic nerves, or the brain’s white matter.

From there, a doctor can use a contrast MRI. This test helps them to find out if there are active lesions. This type of test lets them see if the lesions fit the criteria necessary for diagnosing MS.

There are no symptoms, laboratory tests, or physical findings alone that would make a doctor believe a patient has MS. To diagnose the disease, doctors must find evidence of damage in at least two areas of the central nervous system. 

They need to see that this damage occurred in different parts of the body at different times. They also need to see that no other underlying issues, such as a stroke or an infection, would cause these lesions.

What MS Lesions Might Look Like on a Scan

Lesions may look like either areas of black, white, or gray spots on an MRI. Their color often has to do with whether or not they are new or old lesions. The lesions often have a frame or oval shape. 

Doctors will examine all brain parts because the lesions can show up in either gray or white matter. To see the lesions, a doctor may use gadolinium, a type of contrasting dye. The dye increases the sensitivity of the MRI scan and helps doctors detect the presence of active inflammation.

The Effects Spinal Lesions Cause

One of the functions of myelin, the substance attacked by MS, is to help send nerve impulses. When myelin gets degraded, nerve impulses will travel more slowly.

Studies have shown that patients with primary progressive MS tend to have more lesions on their spine than on their brain. These patients tend to have more significant physical disabilities because of this difference. 

Research has also shown that spinal cord involvement has the potential for worse outcomes neurologically. In addition, researchers also saw that repair mechanisms that would typically occur can get impaired by the disease.

Other Symptoms Associated With Lesions Caused by MS

There are a host of symptoms associated with MS. Quite often, the symptoms a patient will experience have to do with where lesions may develop. 

Some of the most common symptoms include pain and itching or numbness and tingling of the skin. Patients can also feel weak, feel fatigued, and may suffer from vertigo or dizziness. 

There can be sexual dysfunction, spasticity, difficulty walking, and problems with their vision, their bladder, or their bowel.

Some patients report learning and behavioral difficulties. Still, others experience issues with depression and feelings of apathy.

Some less common symptoms include difficulties in breathing, swallowing, or speaking. Some patients also report experiencing the feeling of electrical sensations running through their spine and their limbs.

Treatments Available for the Lesions and MS

The most common treatment that doctors prescribe is steroids, which help reduce inflammation, thereby reducing symptoms. It is important to note that this is not a cure, and this treatment does not prevent symptoms from reoccurring. 

Some of the injectable treatments available include interferon beta-1a and beta-1b. They also can consist of glatiramer acetate. 

Some of the oral treatments available to patients include siponimod, fingolimod, and teriflunomide. Infusion medications include items like Lemtrada, Ocrevus, and Tysabri.

Another goal of any treatment is to prevent further damage to the nerve cells. Infusion, oral, and injectable medications help slow the progress of the disease.

While there is no cure for MS, getting checked out by a doctor at the first sign of symptoms is a patient’s best line of defense in treating this disease. When MS lesions get found, getting started right away on a treatment program helps to slow the progress of the disease in a diagnosed patient.