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Canadian study debunks vein theory

Oct 9, 2013 | 7:35 AM

A study published Tuesday in the medical journal the Lancet, reveals that the narrowing of neck veins is an unlikely cause of multiple sclerosis.

“Using the best methods available, we were unable to confirm Dr. Zamboni's theory that MS is caused by CCSVI and our conclusion is that the narrowing of neck veins is common and a normal finding in most people,” said Dr. Anthony Traboulsee of the University of British Columbia, the study's lead researcher.

They began looking at the theory originally published by Dr. Paolo Zamboni in 2009 that claimed MS happens when narrowing of veins from the brain causes blockages. The suggested treatment was that people could be treated by angioplasty to widen the veins, the so-called liberation procedure.

“We are very sensitive and we realize that for many people with MS, this will be a great disappointment as many people were hoping that this was a breakthrough,” Traboulsee said.

The study used ultrasound and catheter venography (a specialized x-ray of the vein) to examine veins of people with MS, their unaffected siblings and unrelated healthy volunteers.

The researchers found that 74 per cent of people with MS, 66 per cent of their unaffected siblings, and 70 per cent of the unrelated controls, had vein narrowing.

This study, co-authored by Dr. Katherine Knox, a University of Saskatchewan and Director of the MS Clinic in the Saskatoon Health Region, doesn't mark the end of looking into neck veins and MS.

According to Traboulsee, he is continuing with another Canada-wide study focused on the liberation treatment.

He said that despite the fact their study shows that neck-vein narrowing is common in the general population, many people with MS report positive results after angioplasty and he wants to know why.

Traboulsee said he has a message to people with MS.

“Please do not rush out and spend your hard-earned money … to get this (liberation) procedure done out of country at private clinics,” he said.

“Research is the way to answer this, we're doing the research, we're doing it as rapidly as possible. We will have answers to these questions, but hang tight.”

Along with the MS Society of Canada, Traboulsee thanked the Saskatoon City Hospital foundation for grant support.

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