Phlebographic Study between Patients with MS and Control Subjects: The Ethical Profile

M G Marciani

doi:10.3174/ajnr.a3805

Abstract

Highlights

The term and the concept of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) were coined by the Italian vascular surgeon Paolo Zamboni, who proposed compromised blood drainage from the central nervous system in patients with MS, caused by strictures and valves in the major veins of the neck
Zamboni et al[1] described venous abnormalities, identified through combined transcranial and extracranial color Doppler high-resolution examination (TCCS-ECD) and confirmed by selective venography of the azygous and jugular venous system, to be dramatically associated with MS only because they were never detectable in healthy individuals or in subjects with other neurologic diseases
In response to criticisms coming from other research groups who failed to replicate the TCCS-ECD findings of Zamboni et al, the CCSVI community proposed the argument that CCSVI detection through TCCS-ECD is a very tough task, requiring appropriate training and specific equipment

Summary

Introduction

The term and the concept of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) were coined by the Italian vascular surgeon Paolo Zamboni, who proposed compromised blood drainage from the central nervous system in patients with MS, caused by strictures and valves in the major veins of the neck. Zamboni et al[1] described venous abnormalities, identified through combined transcranial and extracranial color Doppler high-resolution examination (TCCS-ECD) and confirmed by selective venography of the azygous and jugular venous system, to be dramatically associated with MS only because they were never detectable in healthy individuals or in subjects with other neurologic diseases.

Results

Conclusion