Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency in Multiple Sclerosis – Old-New Concept, New Questions?

Czech version

Authors: MUDr. Ondřej Doležal, Ph.D.
Published in: Cesk Slov Neurol N 2011; 74/107(3): 357-360
Category: Commentary

Overview

The concept of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) as one of the crucial etiological factors in multiple sclerosis (MS) has begun to emerge recently. This study is a review summarizing all that is known and published about CCSVI, together with the author’s long-term experience in the fields of multiple sclerosis and stroke, providing groundwork for critical discussion. In the light of our experience, the concept of CCSVI cannot be ignored and it is essential that extensive future studies into it be performed. We feel that recently-published expectations are overestimated (based upon our own ultrasound examination results in 10 MS subjects and 10 healthy controls). Use of PTA (percutaneous transluminal angioplasty) and stenting as a therapeutical approach in venous insufficiency, without taking physiological and anatomical findings into account, has not to date proved objectively beneficial and is not indicated in MS patients. Neither is it approved by acknowledged authorities such as the Food and Drug Administration of the USA.

Key words:
chronic cerebrospinal venous insuficiency – multiple sclerosis – percutaneous transluminal angioplasty – stenting – ultrasound examination

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