Jackson Hospital | Partners | SUMMER 2016

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“A week after my initial appointment
and MRI, I went back into Dr. Epperson’s
office for a lumbar puncture and an eye
test, or a Visually Evoked Potential
(VEP) test, and scheduled a follow-up
appointment. March 31 was the day I
received my diagnosis.”
Dr. Epperson reported there were
lesions found in Rebecca’s C-spine and
multiple lesions in her brain. He said that
Rebecca’s VEP test looked fairly normal,
and that her immunoglobulin G levels
were not elevated as is typical in MS
patients. However, there was a high level
of oligoclonal bands, something found in
MS patients.
Catching MS early
Dr. Epperson was able to diagnose
Crumpton’s MS—specifically, relapsing-
remitting MS—at an early stage.
Crumpton’s medication will not cure
her MS or solve any permanent damage,
but her doctors are expecting it to slow
down the process and cause exacerba-
tions to be much further apart.
Crumpton wants to be an example for
2 TIMES
THE
CLARITY,
COMFORT
Radiologist Brad
Thomas, MD
others who simply brush off
symptoms. “My mentality has
always been ‘Life doesn’t stop.
Those in it are more important.
Take time for yourself when
circumstances slow down.’ I
finally took a step for myself
that eventually led me to this
very early diagnosis, which in
turn led to the possibility of a
longer, fuller life due to earlier
treatment.
“It also makes me very
thankful the new 3 tesla
MRI was at the Jackson
Imaging Center,” Crumpton
says. “It is possible that an
older machine may not have
detected much of what was
seen on my scans.
Had I not had the
wonderful care and
latest technology at
the Jackson Imag-
ing Center, I could
still be searching for
answers.”
Rebecca Crumpton and her
family are thankful her MS
was caught early.
See the 3T MRI in action. Go to
The new state of the art technology with the 3 tesla (3T) MRI is changing the way staff are able to
help patients at The Jackson Imaging Center. Radiologist Brad Thomas, MD, says, “It’s almost like
doubling the megapixels on a camera, so we are able to find more clarity and see smaller struc-
ture and so it can detect disease earlier and also make a more accurate diagnosis, from prostate
to breast imaging and more. In addition to diagnosis, we also have some advanced neuroimag-
ing protocols that we are using to detect multiple sclerosis plaques earlier and also do some
advanced imaging of the brain stem with disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.”
As for the actual patient experience, patients may notice more room while getting the MRI. The
open bore on this magnet cuts down on the claustrophobia, and a window in the room helps pa-
tients feel at ease. Patients can also listen to music while they are having the MRI, and it can even
scan faster if needed, cutting the patients’ scan time in half.
All of these features are part of an effort to make the experience a little
more comfortable, with more accurate results. Jackson Hospital still has the
1.5-strength MRI in case a patient has an implant that may interfere with
the 3T imaging. Patients can request to go to the Jackson Imaging Center
even if a doctor refers them to another place for an MRI.