The value of cerebral Doppler venous haemodynamics in the assessment of multiple sclerosis

Concomitant Analysis of Arterial, Venous, and CSF Flows using Phase-Contrast MRI: A Quantitative Comparison Between MS Patients and Healthy Controls

“…The resulting inflammation and iron deposition may be responsible for the inflammatory and degenerative lesions characteristic of MS. 3 This theory gave rise to the so-called chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) syndrome, of which Doppler ultrasound-based criteria were defined by the authors. 2 While Zamboni et al 4 reported on a perfect diagnosis accuracy of these criteria (classifying MS patients with a 100% sensitivity and specificity), further studies, using the same criteria, found partial, doubtful, or even no association between MS and venous drainage abnormalities. [5][6][7] Phase-contrast MRI (PC-MRI) provides a rapid, non-invasive, and operator-independent assessment of venous drainage pathways, at both intracranial and cervical levels.…”

No Association Between Conventional Brain MR Imaging and Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency in Multiple Sclerosis

“…[6][7][8] Some recent studies were able to partially reproduce original findings [2][3][4] with substantially lower sensitivity and specificity for MS, 9-17 while others were not able to support these findings using various imaging techniques. [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] In the CTEVD study, 13 the largest case-control study, to date, to investigate the prevalence of CCSVI in patients with MS, CIS, and other neurologic diseases, and HCs using specific proposed Doppler sonography criteria, 3 increased prevalence of CCSVI in MS was shown but with modest sensitivity and specificity.…”

“…2,3 CCSVI was originally described as a vascular condition characterized by anomalies of the main extracranial cerebrospinal venous routes that interfere with normal blood outflow in patients with MS. [2][3][4] The concept of CCSVI in patients with MS, and its possible implications for MS pathogenesis and treatment options, has raised significant interest in both the patient 5 and medical communities. [6][7][8] Some recent studies were able to partially reproduce original findings [2][3][4] with substantially lower sensitivity and specificity for MS, 9-17 while others were not able to support these findings using various imaging techniques.…”

Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency in Multiple Sclerosis: The Hydrostatic-Immune Paradigm and the Flow Cytometry as a Diagnostic Tool

“…Zamboni et al [5] combined transcranial and extracranial color Doppler ultrasonography to examine internal jugular, vertebral, deep cerebral, and azygous veins and evaluate 5 parameters that assess venous blood flow and vessel anatomy. A significant correlation between MS and the presence of 2 or more criteria of venous outflow abnormalities was reported.…”