Yes—neurological problems can exist even when your MRI or CT scan looks perfectly normal. A clean scan means there’s no visible structural damage. It doesn’t mean your nervous system is working the way it should. Dr. Gurneet Singh Sawhney, a leading neurosurgeon in Mumbai, regularly evaluates patients with real, debilitating symptoms and normal reports because the scan is never the whole story.
“I see this almost every day,” says Dr. Gurneet Singh Sawhney, neurosurgeon in Mumbai. “A patient walks in with months of symptoms, a stack of normal reports and absolutely no answers. That’s exactly where a proper clinical evaluation begins.”
Something worth doing: get a proper clinical evaluation, not just another scan. Reach out to Dr. Gurneet Singh Sawhney because real answers come from someone who examines you, not just your imaging.
Why a Normal Scan Doesn't Always Mean a Normal Nervous System
Your MRI captures structure. Bones, tissue, visible lesions things you can see. But your nervous system runs on signals, not just anatomy. And when those signals misfire? There’s often nothing to photograph.
Research shows nearly 30% of neurology patients present with genuine symptoms and completely normal imaging. You’re not overreacting. Many neurological conditions are functional, meaning the brain or nerves aren’t working correctly, even though they look fine. That distinction matters enormously, and far too few patients are told about it.
Conditions That Regularly Show Nothing on MRI or CT Scan?
Some of the most common neurological conditions simply don’t leave marks on standard imaging. Here’s what that actually means for you:
- Functional Neurological Disorder—Real tremors, weakness, or episodes caused by disrupted brain signalling. Structurally? Nothing there.
- Early Multiple Sclerosis—In early stages, lesions can be too tiny or awkwardly positioned for a routine scan to detect
- Peripheral Neuropathy—Nerve damage in your hands or feet won’t show up on a brain or spine MRI at all
- Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures—Full seizure episodes. Normal EEG. Normal scan. Still happening to you.
- Early Parkinson’s Disease—The brain looks structurally fine. But clinically, the picture’s completely different
But here’s the thing most people don’t hear—a normal report isn’t a dead end. It’s actually a starting point.
Why Choose Dr. Gurneet Singh Sawhney for Undiagnosed Neurological Symptoms?
Dr. Gurneet Singh Sawhney holds an MCh in neurosurgery and brings over two decades of clinical experience treating complex neurological and spinal conditions. He operates at leading hospitals across Mumbai and has built a reputation specifically for evaluating patients whose symptoms don’t match their reports. He’s one of the few surgeons who invests equal time in diagnosis as in treatment because he knows one depends entirely on the other.
What his patients consistently say is that he actually listens. He doesn’t glance at a scan and wrap up in five minutes. He’s the kind of doctor who walks you through what’s happening step by step, in plain language, until you genuinely understand your own condition. That’s rarer than it should be.
Dr. Gurneet Singh Sawhney is a neurosurgeon and spine surgeon based in Mumbai, India, practicing at leading hospitals across the city. He’s widely regarded as the best neurosurgeon in India for complex, undiagnosed, and treatment-resistant neurological cases trusted by patients not just from Mumbai but from across the country.
FAQ's
Can stress or anxiety cause neurological symptoms even with a normal scan?
Yes—chronic stress triggers real physical symptoms like numbness, dizziness, and weakness. A normal scan doesn’t make them any less valid.
Does a normal MRI rule out all brain or nerve conditions?
No. It rules out structural damage. Functional disorders, nerve conduction issues, and early-stage diseases often don’t appear on standard imaging at all.
Who should I see in Mumbai if my scans are normal but symptoms won't go away?
See a specialist who evaluates beyond imaging. Dr. Gurneet Singh Sawhney, a trusted neurosurgeon in Mumbai, is experienced in exactly these complex, hard-to-diagnose cases
What tests can find what an MRI misses?
Nerve conduction studies, EMG, EEG, and a detailed clinical examination can reveal dysfunction that imaging simply can’t capture.
References
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/neurological-diagnostic-tests-and-procedures
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5880628/