Brain & Nervous System Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis Multiple Sclerosis MRI: What Does MS Look Like? By Sarah Jividen, RN Sarah Jividen, RN LinkedIn Sarah Jividen, RN, BSN, is a freelance healthcare journalist and content marketing writer at Health Writing Solutions, LLC. She has over a decade of direct patient care experience working as a registered nurse specializing in neurotrauma, stroke, and the emergency room. Learn about our editorial process Published on August 24, 2022 Medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD Medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Huma Sheikh, MD, is board-certified in neurology and specializes in migraine and stroke. She co-founded the migraine and vascular section for the American Headache Society. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Diagnosis Imaging What to Expect MRI View Frequently Asked Questions Multiple sclerosis progressively damages the myelin sheath, a protective coating around the nerve cells in the central nervous system (CNS). Over time, this demyelination slows and even prevents the transfer of nerve signals between the brain and the body. This damage is visible on imaging scans, so advanced imaging can be used to diagnose multiple sclerosis. This article reviews what MS looks like on imaging scans and what to expect during imaging procedures. mustafagull / Getty Images MS Diagnosis MS symptoms can mimic many other health issues. It's very difficult to diagnose MS without advanced imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the gold standard for detecting demyelination. Computed tomography (CT) scans may also help rule out other neurological conditions and diagnose MS. However, CT scan images provide less clarity than MRIs. Although physical assessments and other laboratory tests may be used to help diagnose MS symptoms, they cannot provide a diagnosis alone. The main strategies used to diagnose MS are: Neurological exam Past medical history MRI Blood test (to rule out other conditions) Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) How Multiple Sclerosis Is Diagnosed Advanced Imaging for MS There are two types of advanced imaging tests that can be used to help diagnose MS. Magnetic Resonance Imaging An MRI is a noninvasive diagnostic technology used to capture images almost anywhere in the body. MRI equipment produces three-dimensional anatomical images using large, powerful magnets and radiofrequency. The MRI magnets create a field that forces protons (subatomic particles) in the body to align with them. Radio waves are then used to stimulate protons and cause them to pull away from the magnetic field. The radio waves are stopped, and the MRI equipment captures an image as the protons realign with the magnetic field. Computed Tomography Scan A CT scan is another type of noninvasive diagnostic equipment. Instead of taking just a single X-ray, a CT scan rotates around the body and produces several X-ray "slices." The slices are then digitally stacked to form three-dimensional images of a patient's anatomy. Safe and Painless These tests may sound complex and even frightening, but both MRI and CT scans are completely safe, painless, and noninvasive. Healthcare providers are trained in operating them and using the images to establish a diagnosis for many different kinds of conditions. What to Expect During Imaging Although an MRI and a CT scan are different types of diagnostic imaging, the process is similar for both. Before starting, patients will remove clothing and jewelry and put on medical scrubs or a medical gown. Patients lie down on a table and are moved into a well-ventilated scanning machine. Both imaging procedures are painless, and the equipment does not touch the body. Some patients may feel claustrophobic during imaging, especially during an MRI. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to manage claustrophobia before your scan. In some cases, an intravenous contrast dye is used during imaging to improve the visualization of vessels, organs, and other anatomy. Main Differences Between MRI and CT Scan The primary differences between an MRI and a CT scan are:A CT scan is much quicker and usually takes less than 10 minutes. An MRI can take anywhere from 25 minutes to two hours.A CT scan is much quieter than an MRI. You may be given earplugs or headphones during an MRI because the machine can be very loud.Before an MRI, all metal objects must be removed because they can be a safety hazard for magnetic fields. It's also essential to remove hearing aids during an MRI because the magnets can damage them.Patients may need to hold their breath at times for some scans to ensure a clear picture. What Does MS Look Like on an MRI? An MRI uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency to measure water content in the body's tissues. Since the myelin that protects nerve cell fibers is fatty, it repels water. An MRI can show where MS has damaged the myelin because the fat is stripped away in those areas, and the areas hold more water. The clinical appearance of MS on an MRI can differ depending on the type of MS. MS Lesions on the Brain Lesions show up on an MRI scan as either a bright white spot or a darkened area. This provides valuable information to healthcare providers about MS diagnosis and the severity of the condition. Brain Lesions in the brain will appear as light or dark spots that don't look the same as normal tissue. It is also possible for an MRI to show lesions on the brain and not the spinal cord. The reverse is also true. Spine Lesions in the spine will also appear as light or dark spots. In a 2018 study, researchers reported different patterns for brain and spinal lesions in people with either progressive or relapsing-remitting MS. One of the main differences was that people with primary progressive MS have more spinal cord lesions than brain lesions. The researchers also noted that those with more spinal cord lesions on an MRI experienced more significant physical disability. How to Test for MS Summary Advanced imaging of the brain and spinal cord is a critical tool in diagnosing MS. MRI and CT scans are the primary imaging tests used to help diagnose MS. Lesions in the brain and spine appear as lighter or darker spots that appear different from normal tissue. Other types of diagnostic testing, such as a lumbar puncture or blood tests, can also help establish an MS diagnosis. A Word From Verywell Experiencing neurological symptoms can be a frightening experience. Advanced imaging such as an MRI or CT scan may seem complex and scary, but both are painless and noninvasive. If you feel nervous about advanced imaging or have a history of claustrophobia, talk to your healthcare provider about the best options to help you cope with the procedure. Frequently Asked Questions What does MS look like on an MRI? An MRI can show where MS has damaged the myelin sheath because the fat is stripped away in those areas. In a typical fatty myelin sheath, the areas hold more water. These spots show up on an MRI scan as either a bright white spot or a darkened area, depending on the type of scan used. This provides valuable information to healthcare providers about MS diagnosis and the severity of the condition. Can MS lesions disappear? There is no cure for MS. However, a 2018 study reported that brain stem lesions in MS patients could disappear on subsequent imaging and, in some cases, may delay an MS diagnosis. The findings indicated that more weight should be given to the reported clinical brain stem events during an initial diagnosis of MS. Where are most MS lesions found? Researchers in a 2018 study reported different patterns for lesions in the brain and spine of people with either progressive or relapsing-remitting MS.They found that people with primary progressive MS had more spinal cord lesions than brain lesions. The researchers also noted that those with more spinal cord lesions on an MRI experienced more significant physical disability. 7 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Cerebrospinal fluid and MS. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Magnetic resonance imaging. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. How MS is diagnosed. National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering. Magnetic resonance imaging. National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering. Computed tomography. Dastagir A, Healy BC, Chua AS, et al. Brain and spinal cord MRI lesions in primary progressive vs. relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. eNeurologicalSci. 2018;12:42-46. doi:10.1016/j.ensci.2018.07.002 Eckert S, Weinstock-Guttman B, Kolb C, Hojnacki D. Disappearing brainstem mri lesions in multiple sclerosis. Neurology. 2018;90(15 Supplement). By Sarah Jividen, RN Sarah Jividen, RN, BSN, is a freelance healthcare journalist and content marketing writer at Health Writing Solutions, LLC. She has over a decade of direct patient care experience working as a registered nurse specializing in neurotrauma, stroke, and the emergency room. 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