Hi, This may be of help from the MS Trust website.
Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid in the diagnosis of MS is looking for:
White blood cells - the number of white cells in cerebrospinal fluid of people with multiple sclerosis is usually up to seven times higher than normal. If the count is even higher than this, it is probably due to an infection of some sort, such as Lymeās Disease, and not MS.
Oligoclonal bands - the immune system produces antibodies to fight infection. In MS, antibodies cross the blood-brain barrier and attack the myelin surrounding nerves. As a result, the level of antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid of someone with MS is higher than it should be and is higher than the level in the blood, a sample of which is also analysed.
The test that shows the presence of antibodies is called electrophoresis. A sample of fluid is placed on a gel and voltage is applied. This causes antibodies of the same size to bunch together, forming visible ābandsā.
One band (monoclonal) in the cerebrospinal fluid is normal. The term oligoclonal bands refers to the presence of two or more bands and shows the presence of disease activity. Whilst this doesnāt necessarily mean that someone has MS, about 80-95% of people with MS do have oligoclonal banding in their cerebrospinal fluid.
I should of added that I didnāt have a lumbar puncture for my MS diagnosis, I just couldnāt face having it done at the time and my MRI scan showed many lesions. So that gave me an MS diagnosis.
When I was diagnosed by consultant told me a positive diagnosis couldnāt be made until there had been 2 āapparentā relapses. Despite a positive Lumbar Puncture and evidence on MRI scans he wouldnāt have made a positive diagnosis if I hadnāt remembered Iād had an optical neuritis 10 years ago and had bladder problems similar to those seen in MS.
I was very ill 13 years ago MRI showed lesion on Brain stem sine then Iāve had bladder problems pins and neadels balance problems now I have optic noursis and still on diagnosis from the neurologist just says dyemilateing disease . He has referred me to specialist now still waiting for appointment ???
I had my latest humdinger relapse and presented myself, several times during the course of a week, at the local hospitalās Emergency Room.
I got referred to a MS neuro after they were happy i hadnāt had a stroke etcā¦
I explained the family history of MS my current symptoms and the neuro was unimpressed. I then mentioned, kind of as an after thought, an apparent bout of optic neuritis about 9 months prior and on the strength of that i got a MRI scheduled.
Pretty lesion rich images later⦠yielded a positive diagnosis of MS. I was offered a LP but gratefully declined!
Clearly, two distinct MS-esque episodes counts for a lot! My advice for those in limbo land⦠think of past moments of weirdness and sell them!