Screening for chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) using ultrasound--recommendations for a protocol

Int Angiol. 2011 Dec;30(6):571-97.

Abstract

Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) is a syndrome characterized by stenoses or obstructions of the internal jugular and/or azygos veins with disturbed flow and formation of collateral venous channels. Studies using ultrasound in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have demonstrated a high prevalence of CCSVI (mean 70%; range 0-100%; N.=1496), whereas, in normal controls and patients without MS the prevalence was much lower (mean 10%; range 0-36%; N.=635). Ultrasound uses a combination of physiological measurements as well as anatomical imaging and has been used for the detection of CCSVI by different centers with variable results. A high prevalence ranging from 62% to 100% of obstructive lesions has been found by some teams in patients with MS compared with a lower prevalence of 0-25% in controls. However, absence of such lesions or a lower prevalence (16-52%) has been reported by others. This variability could be the result of differences in technique, training, experience or criteria used. The current lack of a methodology shared among experts is a confounding element in epidemiologic studies, and does not permit further Bayesan or other kind of analysis. In order to ensure a high reproducibility of Duplex scanning with comparable accuracy between centers, a detailed protocol with standard methodology and criteria is proposed. This is also necessary for training. It has been shown that inter-rater variability increases post-training (from k=0.47 to k=0.80), while within-rater reproducibility in trained operators was k=0.75. Finally, the consensus document proposes a reporting standard of Duplex measurements, and future research to answer areas of uncertainty.

Publication types

  • Consensus Development Conference
  • Practice Guideline
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Azygos Vein / diagnostic imaging*
  • Azygos Vein / physiopathology
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / epidemiology
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / physiopathology
  • Chronic Disease
  • Collateral Circulation
  • Constriction, Pathologic
  • Humans
  • Jugular Veins / diagnostic imaging*
  • Jugular Veins / physiopathology
  • Mass Screening / methods*
  • Mass Screening / standards
  • Multiple Sclerosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / epidemiology
  • Multiple Sclerosis / physiopathology
  • Observer Variation
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prevalence
  • Prognosis
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Spinal Cord / blood supply*
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex* / standards
  • Venous Insufficiency / diagnostic imaging*
  • Venous Insufficiency / epidemiology
  • Venous Insufficiency / physiopathology