MS with a negative LP (lumbar puncture or spinal tap)

As many of you know, I answer questions for the MS Foundation (MSF) and here is one that we thought would be interesting and useful to you.

Question:

I have 3 spots on my brain the doctor has tested me for MS even had a spinal tap it came up negative. I would like to know if I do have MS but just has not showed up yet sometimes I lose my balance and don't have much strength in my hands.

Answer:

Thank you for the question.

It is true that people with MS may have negative lumbar puncture's (LPs or spinal taps) and someone needs to explain your white spots on the brain, and more importantly, your symptoms. I strongly recommend that you see an MS specialist and that you consider (if not done already):

- Close Cervical spinal cord MRI with and without Gadolinium
- Close Thoracic spinal cord MRI with and without Gadolinium
- Visual Evoked potential (VEP)
- Somatosensory Evoked Potential (SSEP) of the upper and lower extremities
- Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential/Response (BAEP/R)
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
- Lab work-up
- Repeat LP in a few years -- ut we don't want to wait that long!

MSF can help you find a neurologist near you ... they always help!!

I know that this means that you will need to be patient.

Thank you,

Daniel Kantor, MD
Medical Director
Neurologique

President
Florida Society of Neurology

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