Diagnosing Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a difficult immune disease to diagnose. With no definitive test available, MS often goes undiagnosed, leading to delays in getting the proper treatment.

The Mandell MS Center at Trinity Health Of New England provides specialized care for MS. Our expert providers understand how to evaluate your symptoms to identify MS. We use our advanced MS knowledge to deliver an accurate diagnosis and get you the treatment you need.

Diagnosing MS: Why Choose Trinity Health Of New England?

As a recognized Center for Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis Care, the Mandell MS Center provides:

• MS expertise: Our neuroradiologists, who specialize in diseases of the central nervous system, use advanced imaging to help diagnose MS. Our providers focus only on MS, so we understand how to differentiate MS from similar conditions.
• Individualized approach: We take a comprehensive and customized approach to MS diagnosis. Our team thoroughly examines your symptoms and test results to provide an accurate diagnosis.
• Advanced imaging technology: We use sophisticated imaging techniques, such as 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (3T MRI), to capture highly detailed images of the brain and spine. These images help us make a quicker diagnosis and more accurate treatment plan.
• Comprehensive care: Our providers treat and support you at every stage of MS. We work with you to understand your diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.

What Is MS?

MS occurs when your body’s immune system attacks your central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. The immune system damages the myelin, the protective coating surrounding your nerves, and often the nerves as well. The damage interrupts communication between your brain and the rest of the body, causing a range of neurological symptoms.

How Is MS Diagnosed?

We work quickly to confirm or rule out MS, so you can get the right care. Our team considers your medical history, evaluates your symptoms, performs laboratory tests and conducts a neurologic examination to provide an accurate diagnosis.

Often, an MS diagnosis relies on ruling out other conditions that have similar symptoms, such as:

• Infections of the CNS, such as Lyme disease
• Inflammatory disorders of the CNS, such as lupus
• Genetic disorders
• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies

MS symptoms

MS symptoms are unpredictable and differ from person to person. Symptoms may vary by type, frequency and severity. Symptom flare-ups may also change over time as the disease changes or progresses.

Your provider will likely track your symptoms. Patterns and frequency of your symptoms help to both diagnose MS and determine the best course of treatment. Common signs of MS include:

• Fatigue
• Vision problems, such as blurred vision or pain with eye movement
• Numbness or tingling
• Muscle weakness
• Dizziness
• Muscle spasms
• Issues with sexual, bowel and bladder function
• Movement problems

Testing for MS: If our neurologic examination and your symptoms provide evidence of MS, we may order additional tests to confirm an MS diagnosis, including:

• Blood tests, to rule out other diseases and check for biomarkers associated with MS
• Spinal tap (lumbar puncture), which analyzes a small sample of fluid taken from your spinal canal to find abnormalities associated with MS
• MRI, which may reveal areas of MS, known as lesions, on your brain and spinal cord
• Evoked potential tests, where we stimulate the electrical signals produced by your central nervous system to see how they respond

Types of MS: The path MS takes can differ from person to person. However, MS usually follows four basic disease courses, which include:

• Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS): This first episode, which lasts at least 24 hours, suggests MS but does not yet meet the criteria for a diagnosis.
• Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS): Approximately 85 percent of people with MS are first diagnosed with this type. With RRMS, attacks of new or increasing neurologic symptoms (also called relapses or flare-ups) are followed by periods of partial or complete remission (very few or no symptoms occur).
• Secondary progressive MS (SPMS): There is a noticeable decrease in neurologic function as the disease progresses. Most people diagnosed with RRMS will transition to SPMS over time.
• Primary progressive MS (PPMS): Patients notice that their neurologic function worsens from the start of the symptoms, without any periods of remission. Approximately 15 percent of people diagnosed with MS have PPMS.

MS Treatment at the Mandell MS Center

We treat all types of MS at the Mandell MS Center. We use disease-modifying therapies and medication to slow the progression of MS. Our specialty providers and advanced rehabilitation services help you manage your symptoms. Through our on-site MS research programs, you’ll benefit from the newest treatments and care models.

Learn about MS treatment and services we offer