OHDaughter
New member
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2017
- Messages
- 4
- Reason
- Loved one DX
- Diagnosis
- 10/2017
- Country
- US
- State
- OH
- City
- Athens
Is a spinal tap often recommended to help confirm ALS (i.e., rule out other possibilities)? Does anyone have any resources regarding the use of spinal taps to successfully dx or rule out ALS?
I am trying to find info to help my PALS make a decision about getting a spinal tap. Very quick background: He was referred to a neurologist for a head pressure/pain issue by his GP after a brain MRI came back clear. The neurologist found him asymptomatic of anything except for a minor hand tremor, conducted an EMG and was shocked by the results (incongruent to his physical exam). He was then referred to a university-based neurologist who also conducted an EMG, prescribed an additional MRI (neck/spine), ran additional bloodwork, and dx him w/ALS. We sought a second opinion at a larger institution and he is awaiting additional bloodwork results and we are supposed to schedule another EMG and we discussed the option of also scheduling a spinal tap at the same time.
Since a dx of ALS seems likely, despite the fact that ALS symptoms did not drive us to that dx, I am trying to ensure that there aren't other avenues we should explore to ensure the dx is valid. Assuming this last round of bloodwork also comes back clear, I can't decide whether a spinal tap is prudent because we want to exhaust all other possibilities or if it's ridiculous because he doesn't have any symptoms/indicators that may indicate there is an infection/inflammation.
I would appreciate any and all advice! Thank you!
I am trying to find info to help my PALS make a decision about getting a spinal tap. Very quick background: He was referred to a neurologist for a head pressure/pain issue by his GP after a brain MRI came back clear. The neurologist found him asymptomatic of anything except for a minor hand tremor, conducted an EMG and was shocked by the results (incongruent to his physical exam). He was then referred to a university-based neurologist who also conducted an EMG, prescribed an additional MRI (neck/spine), ran additional bloodwork, and dx him w/ALS. We sought a second opinion at a larger institution and he is awaiting additional bloodwork results and we are supposed to schedule another EMG and we discussed the option of also scheduling a spinal tap at the same time.
Since a dx of ALS seems likely, despite the fact that ALS symptoms did not drive us to that dx, I am trying to ensure that there aren't other avenues we should explore to ensure the dx is valid. Assuming this last round of bloodwork also comes back clear, I can't decide whether a spinal tap is prudent because we want to exhaust all other possibilities or if it's ridiculous because he doesn't have any symptoms/indicators that may indicate there is an infection/inflammation.
I would appreciate any and all advice! Thank you!