Endovascular treatment of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency in multiple sclerosis: a retrospective study

Background: Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) has been proposed to be associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). Zamboni et al. reported significant improvement in neurological outcomes in MS patients who underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). Objectives: To retrospectively evaluate the neurological outcomes in MS patients who underwent PTA. Method: Relapsing remitting MS patients who underwent PTA and completed at least 1 year post-PTA were assessed. Patients with clinically isolated syndrome or progressive forms of MS were excluded. Primary endpoint was the proportion of relapse-free patients at 1 year. Secondary endpoints were change in mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score and proportion of patients with new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) activity (defined as either gadolinium-enhancing or new T2 lesions) at 1 year. Results: Forty-five patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. Females constituted 71.1%. The mean age and mean disease duration were 33.76 an...