Occasional numbness in legs, white spots discovered in spine. Is it due to lumber puncture?
Patient: My daughter has experienced,on occasions, numbness in her legs,this has all started in the last 6 months.. As a result she had an MRI scan . Her brain was clear ,however, on her 5th & 6th platelets in her spine they have discovered white spots. The consultant has asked for a lumber puncture and a further MRI scan in 3 months. Obviously she is very concerned. Is this something that she should consider trying to have done urgently - possibly explore having the work done privately. We certainly do not want to find that her condition irretrievably worsens due to the delay. because of the delay. Doctor: HiThank you for your question.Numbness in the legs may be caused by external compression on the nerve or internal pathology of the nerve itself. It is not clear from your description what the white spots are. If you can upload report/images of the MRI that would be helpful. Electromyography and Nerve Conduction Velocity (EMG/NCV) test can find out the exact location of nerve problem. Management as well as need to repeat the MRI in 3 months depends on what the problem is. Please consult a neurologist for clinical as well as MRI evaluation.Best wishes.