What is a pontine lesion?

What is a pontine lesion?

A lateral pontine syndrome is a lesion which is similar to the lateral medullary syndrome, but because it occurs in the pons, it also involves the cranial nerve nuclei of the pons.

Does MS affect the pons?

Aside from affecting a specific pathway, pontine lesions may represent a marker of more extensive damage to other parts of the CNS in patients with MS, thus resulting in dyssynergia and weak stream.

Where are lesions most common in MS?

Lesions may be observed anywhere in the CNS white matter, including the supratentorium, infratentorium, and spinal cord; however, more typical locations for MS lesions include the periventricular white matter, brainstem, cerebellum, and spinal cord.

What type of lesions are associated with MS?

The pathologic hallmark of multiple sclerosis is multiple focal areas of myelin loss within the CNS called plaques or lesions, accompanied by variable gliosis and inflammation and by relative axonal preservation. Active multiple sclerosis lesions are infiltrated by macrophages containing myelin debris.

How many lesions is alot for MS?

An “average” number of lesions on the initial brain MRI is between 10 and 15. However, even a few lesions are considered significant because even this small number of spots allows us to predict a diagnosis of MS and start treatment.

How do MS lesions affect the brain?

When it comes to the brain, changes due to MS can contribute to fatigue and other symptoms. MS brain lesions can produce difficulty with thinking and memory. MS brain changes may also contribute to mood disorders such as depression.

How long do MS lesions stay active?

Most symptoms develop abruptly, within hours or days. These attacks or relapses of MS typically reach their peak within a few days at most and then resolve slowly over the next several days or weeks so that a typical relapse will be symptomatic for about eight weeks from onset to recovery. Resolution is often complete.

How many brain lesions are normal with MS?

An “average” number of lesions on the initial brain MRI is between 10 and 15. However, even a few lesions are considered significant because even this small number of spots allows us to predict a diagnosis of MS and start treatment. Q2.

Are MS lesions permanent?

While there is no cure for MS, there are “disease-modifying drugs” that can reduce the frequency and severity of MS attacks. Use can result in less damage to the brain and spinal cord over time, slowing the progression of disability. When an attack does occur, high-dose corticosteroids can help cut it short.

Can you have brain lesions without having MS?

About 5 percent of people who are confirmed to have MS do not initially have brain lesions evidenced by MRI. However, the longer a person goes without brain or spinal cord lesions on MRI, the more important it becomes to look for other possible diagnoses.

Does MS mess with your mind?

MS can affect your mood in different ways. It can be mentally hard to adjust to a chronic, constantly changing disease. Changes in your brain may also affect your emotions. Scientists think damage to nerves in your limbic system, the part of the brain that controls emotions, may be to blame.

What are the symptoms of a brain lesion in MS?

Symptoms that result from brainstem lesions (which can also occur with MS lesions elsewhere) include: 1  1 Impaired strength or control of movements 2 Slurred speech 3 Decreased sensation to touch, pain, temperature, and vibration 4 Diminished balance 5 Trouble sleeping

What are the symptoms of linear trigeminal root lesions?

All patients had a linearly shaped lesion at the trigeminal root that showed a high-intensity signal (arrows). All patients also had ipsilateral trigeminal nerve symptoms such as neuralgia, numbness, or paresthesia. Clinical Features of 5 Patients With Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Who Had Linear Trigeminal Root Lesions*

How does MS affect the cranial nerve function?

Additionally, brainstem involvement in MS affects cranial nerve functions, which causes symptoms that are not produced by MS lesions in other locations, including: 2 

How are brain lesions related to sensory and motor symptoms?

Many of the sensory and motor symptoms of MS brainstem lesions are similar to symptoms of lesions of the spine and other parts of the brain because those in the brainstem often interrupt nerve pathways that connect to these regions. Symptoms that result from brainstem lesions (which can also occur with MS lesions elsewhere) include: 1 

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