What is the Neurologist Looking For?
The actual terms used by MS Specialists in describing the diagnostic characteristics of MS are Dissemination in Space, Dissemination in Time, and the Exlcusion of Any Better Explanation for the patient’s symptoms and findings. Dissemination in Space – This means that there is evidence that the disease has attacked more than one area of the Central Nervous System. The disease has “spread out in location.” Dissemination in Time – This means that there have been attacks on the Central Nervous System on more than one occasion. The disease has “spread out in time.” It has been active more than once. The attacks must have occurred at least 30 days apart. Exclusion of Better Explanations – To do this the neurologist will order many blood tests looking for MS mimics, such as causes of autoimmune vasculitis such as Lupus or Sjogren’s Syndrome, CNS infections like Lyme Disease and syphillis, blood clotting disorders like Hughes Syndrome, vitamin deficiencies, and heavy metal poisoning. Also othe
