Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
How is multiple sclerosis diagnosed?
With today's medicine, there is no definitive test available to diagnose multiple sclerosis. However, a probable diagnosis can be made by following a careful process which demonstrates findings that are consistent with MS, that also rule out other causes and diseases.
What are the two criteria used when diagnosing MS?
- There must have been two attacks at least one month apart. An attack is a sudden appearance of or worsening of any MS symptom or symptoms that lasts at least 24 hours.
- There must be more than one area of damage to central nervous system myelin -- the sheath that surrounds and protects nerve fibers -- which must have occurred at more than one point in time and not have been caused by any other disease.
What does an evaluation for MS cover?
Evaluation for MS often covers an extensive review of:
- mental functions
- emotional functions
- language functions
- movement and coordination
- vision
- balance
- functions of the five senses
Evaluation Procedures for MS
The following may be used when evaluating for multiple sclerosis:
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) - one method of imaging the brain to detect the presence of plaques or scarring caused by MS.
- evoked potential tests -- electrical diagnostic studies that show if there is a slowing of messages in the various parts of the brain.
- cerebrospinal tests tests tests - for the cellular and chemical abnormalities associated with MS.
- blood tests - to rule out other causes for various neurologic symptoms.
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