New CCSVI evidence presented by University of Buffalo

We've previously reported on imaging and surgical results suggesting that impaired blood drainage from the CNS is associated with MS (chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency, or CCSVI). One of the criticisms of this work is that it was conducted at a single center using ultrasound, a technique which can produce varying results across operators. So there have been calls for replication of this study, and as a result several centers have stepped up to answer these calls.

One of these centers, based at the University of Buffalo, has gotten off to a fast start and is reporting preliminary results from an imaging study that evaluated 500 people (MS subjects and controls). Participants in this study (Combined Transcranial and Extracranial Venous Doppler Evaluation (CTEVD)) were imaged with both Doppler ultrasound and MRI. These preliminary results showed that 56% of the MS subjects and 22% of the controls met two of the five criteria developed to confirm CCSVI. These results were not quite as striking as the original results presented by Dr. Zamboni, which showed complete association of CCSVI with MS. However, they certainly are strong enough to compel further investigation in this area.

This preliminary report only gave a glimpse into the findings from this study; full results will be revealed at the next American Academy of Neurology meeting in April.