A Question,,

[Pegakafarmgirl]

Okay,, Today I went for a MRI,, so they did the brain MRI,, and found 2 lesions, not new, neuro, said "old/new",, we figure it was in between, the 2 year span, of the last MRI..

The question is, my husband wants to know how long a lesion is active, till it is considered old ?,

thanks for any info,,

[Gary]

I think 1.) its old when it turns black and becomes inactive. 2.) it just disappears.

[jendie]

My lesions no longer "enhance" when contrast is added. I haven't had a change in my MRI in over 5 years. I don't know if this helps or answers your question. It's just my 2 cents.

[SalpalSally]

Thanks for asking Peg and thanks for your answers. Now I know too..

[Howie]

I could only GUESS, but it sounds to me a lesion that had been dead, but the area had reactivated. If that is so, you wouldn't think it would make many changes to how you feel now. The real damage has already been done the first time around.

Since July '98 when I was DXed, I've had 2 MRIs total. That first one got me a DX, and the second was required to get my Hoveround which I don't use now, but tomorrow, I may need it.
"Be prepared" was the Boy Scout motto which I was a part of more years ago than I would admit.

I don't now, and never have had a Neuro. I take no MS drugs. My choice, and yet after that long, I still walk and drive, but little of each. It's your life, and your decision. For ME, it has worked out. Deciding how you want to handle this strange disease, is the toughest part of having it.

I wish everyone the best whatever path you choose.

[agate]

Apparently a lesion goes through different stages, and at some stages it won't show up on an MRI. Also, different MRI machines have different powers. Some will show more lesions than others do.

What was meant by a "new/old lesion" probably means one of those lesions that were missed on the previous MRI. It also means that it isn't "enhancing" because if it had been enhancing (= active), you'd have been told about it.

I found this explanation:

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[Cherie]

Active lesions enhance with Gadolinium contrast medium. Inactive ones do not. You actually may see the lesions without the contrast but they light up brightly in the series of films shot after the injection of the dye. In clinical trials looking at MRI evidence years ago when the technology was fairly new, most enhancing lesions did not enhance after a couple of months. The enhancement indicates active inflammation in that area of the central nervous system.