CCSVI - another negative independent study

Epub ahead of printTsivgoulis et al. Extracranial venous hemodynamics in multiple sclerosis: A case-control study. Neurology. 2011 Aug 17.

Objectives: These investigators performed a color-coded Doppler sonography case-control study to externally validate the CCSVI criteria.

Results: The investigators recruited 42 MS'ers with MS and 43 control individuals 

There was no evidence of stenosis or nondetectable Doppler flow in cervical veins in patients and controls. 

Reflux in internal jugular vein (IJV) was documented in 1 MS'er (2%) and 1 control subject (2%), both in sitting and supine posture during apnea. 

Conclusions: Their data argue against CCSVI as the underlying mechanism of MS. Without further independent validation of CCSVI, potentially dangerous endovascular procedures, proposed as novel therapy for MS, should not be performed outside controlled clinical trials.

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