Positive ALS diagnosis without MRI

[913mommyof3]

My husband received a diagnosis of ALS on 2/09/11. We still have not been scheduled for the neck and back MRI. Could there be something else causing the muscle weakness/loss in his arm and starting to lose balance in his left leg? The doc we are seeing is at an alsa clinic. I wouldn't think she'd diagnois without being sure of this. He is just 34 years old. I'd really like to think this is something besides ALS, but he has too many symptoms: faciculations, muscle atrophy in arm and hand, losing balance and tripping. Reflexes are brisk and doc said from emg that he has als not mmn. Why are we going to have the MRI done if she is certain he has ALS? Could there be another cause of these symptoms?

 

[Miss]

I would ask if it is necessary. We were scheduled for some additional tests when my husband received his diagnosis. They cancelled all of them after we asked why we were getting them. They really weren't necessary.

 

[trfogey]

The MRI is used to check for things like herniated discs and bone spurs in the spine, which can impinge on the nerves. Based on various things that Wright has written here in the past, there are some spinal conditions that can mimic ALS in their appearance on an EMG.

It does seem odd, given your husband's age, that an ALS specialist would jump so quickly to an ALS diagnosis. Is there a history of ALS in your husband's family?

 

[senior60]

My understanding is a mri of the neck would be a must.I am about to be diagnosed after 3 emg tests and a neck mri.This to me is not enough tests. I am going to insist on a brain mri and a lymes test.After that i am going to get a second opinion.

 

[TedH5]

I would definitely insist on having an MRI. Heck I had already had one before I saw my neurologist and even though he saw nothing on the MRI results before he diagnosed me with ALS just to be certain he ordered another MRI but this time with contrast dye. I would think any Dr being thorough would have an MRI completed, especially since ALS is a diagnosis of exclusion.

 

[Miss]

Be clear, my husband had 3 MRIs, a Lyme disease test, and many more before his ALS diagnosis

 

[913mommyof3]

The neuro that did the emg before we saw the alsa doc said they could tell form the emg that it wasn't something wrong with his spine. He has no family history of ALS. Is it possible to rule out a spur or something on the spine from the emg results?

 

[TedH5]

I am not a Dr. but even after my Neuro had done the EMG and he was certain it was ALS he still did another MRI with contrast.

 

[hopingforcure]

I agree MRI with and without contrast of brain, cervical, lumbar etc.. is a added rule out for ALS diagnosis.

 

[Bad Balance]

Same....had a duplicate cervical MRI to be sure before delivering the diagnosis.

 

[Zaphoon]

It would seem odd to give a final diagnosis of ALS without a series of MRI's (head, neck, spine). The MRI's are useful when it comes to the "rule outs".

 

[michael0314]

My nuero, also an als authority, told us probly ALS before MRI but did order it. You are right to want more tests. I'm diffrent in that my onset was bulbar so if there was another problem it would have had to been in the brain. ((had neck done before) long story). I hope you find a simple explanation that is fixable.

 

[913mommyof3]

Thank you to everyone who replied. I just really would like to have another diagnosed than ALS. I'm sure everyone feels that way. Could MS be the cause of the symptoms I listed above? Would MS show up on a neck and spine MRI?

 

[913mommyof3]

That was supposed to say * I would like to have another 'd x' than ALS.* Not sure why it changed on me. I think I read something about it on another thread.

 

[Al]

Leave a space between the D and the X and you don't get the change to diagnosed.

AL.