Multiple Sclerosis Slideshow Pictures Medical Illustrations of the MS Image Collection Take the MS Quiz

Medical Author:

Fernando Dangond, MD

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis

Diagnosing multiple sclerosis is difficult. The vague and nonspecific nature or this disease mimics many other diseases. Doctors combine history, physical exam, laboratory work, and sophisticated medical imaging techniques to arrive at a diagnosis.

• A complete blood count, blood chemistry, urine analysis, and often spinal fluid evaluation are all routine laboratory tests used to rule out other diagnoses and help confirm the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
  
  
• An MRI, which creates an image of the brain or the spinal cord, is used to search for changes within the brain or spinal cord that are particular to multiple sclerosis.
  
  
• More often than not, a neurology specialist is required to make a diagnosis.