Multiple Sclerosis

Diagnosis

People with MS may need extensive diagnostic tests. Mayo Clinic's efficient practice generally allows people to complete a full diagnostic and therapeutic evaluation within three to five working days, and many people will complete their evaluation within two days. Often people benefit from consultations with specialists in physical medicine and rehabilitation (gait evaluation and gait aids, exercise programs, management of spasticity, bowel and bladder disorders, help with swallowing), ophthalmology, urology, speech therapy, neurosurgery and others.

A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis may be made based on results of the following tests and examinations.

Medical History

A Mayo Clinic physician will review symptoms and their pattern.

Neurologic Examination

During this exam, the neurologist will systematically examine parts of the nervous system including gait, muscle strength, coordination and balance, sensation, vision, speech, and cognitive (memory and thinking) function.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan

The cylinder-shaped MRI scanner creates tissue-slice images on a computer from data generated by a powerful magnetic field and radio waves. Examinations of the brain, neck, spinal cord and soft tissues are best seen by an MRI scan. Physicians may be able to see areas of the nervous system where damage to myelin has occurred. A typical MRI takes approximately 45 minutes.

Spinal Tap (Lumbar Puncture)

This procedure can determine the concentration of immune cells and proteins in cerebrospinal fluid, the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. A physician uses a thin, hollow needle to remove small samples of the cerebrospinal fluid from within the spinal canal for laboratory analysis.