Incidence of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency in multiple sclerosis: patients vs. first degree relatives and healthy controls

Abstract Background: Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) is a new vascular pattern recently associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). Aim of this study was to assess the presence of CCSVI parameter and vascular abnormalities, in the Internal Jugular Veins (IJVs) and/or Vertebral Veins (VVs) in sitting and supine posture, in MS patients versus first degree relatives with MS familiarity and general population. Methods: We investigated in 272 MS patients, in 118 first degree relative of MS patients and in 97 healthy controls, morphologic and hemodynamic venous abnormalities of the IJVs and/or VVs by means of high resolution B-mode ultrasounds. Diagnostic five parameters recently approved in a consensus conference were calculated in both supine and sitting positions. Results: CCSVI showed positiveness for at least 2 criteria in 179/272 (83%) MS patients, in 24/118 (20%) first degree relatives and in 24/97 (25%) of healthy controls. MS patients showed a statistically significa