Can anyone decipher this MRI result for me?

[Merrythulu]

Had an MRI for neurological symptoms of parasthesias, numbness, tremors etc. Have already been diagnosed with CFS, or ME, as I prefer to refer to it as. Just got this through from the locum consultant that he's sent to the GP who referred me:

"MRI scan of the brain done xx date revealed no abnormality apart from prominence of the sulci along the superior convexities bilaterally. Overall, the appearances are reassuring."

WTF? So, does that mean there's something wrong with me, or not? I know, I know, I need to go and see my GP, but to be honest, they're so fecking useless, I had to correct one last time who told me a particular blood result had improved from last time, when it hadn't, it had risen!! So I like to have at least a general idea of what's going on before I go in there! I take it it's good news, that it's not MS, as there are no lesions, but does anyone know what the relevance of having 'prominent sulci's' is? :o

Hi, Not a neuroscientist, but know something of this. With your symptoms, as you say they would be looking for plaques or lesions in the brain, which would likely indicate multiple sclerosis (causes fatigue, parasthesias, numbness, tremors amongst many many other symptoms). Sounds like they didn't find anything at all like this, which is great.

Sulci are the gaps between the ridges on the surface of your brain. Prominent sulci may mean, and in the absence of any other worrying MRI findings/symptoms, likely mean nothing. Indeed, as you age your sulci will become more prominent. Where significantly prominent sulci are noted all over the brain, this can indicate some atrophy of the brain (loss of brain matter) and this is seen in a range of diseases, mostly unpleasant. This does not appear to be the case here.

I would emphasise however that I'm not medically trained (am a psychologist with multiple sclerosis!)and as such am far from qualified to interpret your scan results, but from what's been said it sounds like the consultant is not overly concerned. I'm assuming you've been referred to a neurologist, hence the scan. If so, phone up and ask for an appointment to discuss the results. If not, ask to speak to the locum over the phone so that you get proper reassurance. You could try your GP, but as you've found, they can be a bit too 'general' for those of us with weird illnesses!

That's great - thanks UP! I do feel like there's something weird going on, especially as I get the numbness around my head, but I'll see my GP - I'm figuring they'll just fob me off with an 'oh, it's nothing'. However I have had it happen that I've had one copy of a letter WITH blood results, and then received a copy WITHOUT blood results, so I'm becoming a little suspicious that they're not always including all the information. I have got a follow-up appointment booked for February, so I can always ring up on the premise of not knowing whether I need this appointment or not.
But that's really useful to know, so thanks!

FWIW I agree with uniP - highly unlikely to be anything to worry about.

thanks smile - I'm still waiting to see the GP, but I'm pretty sure she'll just send me away with more aqueous cream or something!

MRI normal . GP is there to refer to neurologist . Your symptoms need investigation and the GP will not be able to provide a diagnosis.