The radical new theory of venous drainage being a major contributory factor in MS could be one of the greatest breakthroughs in the history of medicine. Professor Paulo Zamboni’s discovery that a large proportion of MS patients have blocked jugular and azygous veins, what he terms Chronic Cerebro Spinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI), opens up an entirely new way of thinking about the disease. Zamboni has published two landmark papers in 2009; the first describing the condition and the second showing the effects of the “liberation” treatment on 65 patients. Although these early results are encouraging, supporting research is needed before we can be sure that this is a major factor in MS.

The implications of these new finding are huge, especially for Scotland which has by far the greatest incidence of MS in the world. Scientists think that the CCSVI abnormalities precede the onset of neurological symptoms. It may be possible in the future to screen first degree relatives of MS patients to identify and treat preclinical CCSVI. This is a truly remarkable breakthrough. It also makes sense of some of the previously unexplained findings in MS. The fact that lesions are centered round small veins fits this new theory. The beneficial impact of vitamin D, antioxidants and omega 3 also fits the CCSVI hypothesis. Vitamin D interacts with over 2,000 genes in the body and has a marked impact on vein pathology. Deep venous thrombosis is 50% more likely in the winter months and low levels are associated with increased inflammation in veins.

Glasgow Health Solutions is currently offering MS patients scanning and treatment for CCSVI in Glasgow and Edinburgh (see our CCSVI treatment plan) with new centres opening early in 2011. The Doppler ultrasound scan required to show the CCSVI abnormalities has been specially adapted to detect CCSVI and required specialist training from Professor Zamboni and his team. Our experienced team have now carried out over 750 CCSVI scans  at our Glasgow clinic.The cost of the scan and Doctors Consultation in the UK is £525 from 2011. Vascular Surgeon Mr Donald Reid and his team are doing the balloon angioplasty procedures at our Edinburgh partner clinic.

Venous Health – it now appears to be vital in MS to keep veins healthy and reduce the possibility of narrowing and blockage. One of the most useful treatments of varicose veins is an antioxidant complex – Daflon. This a flavanoid and several research projects show that it improves varicose veins and varicose ulcers. Other flavanoids have also been tested with pycnogenol (pine bark extract) being more effective than Daflon.

Vitamin D has a major role in the development of vein inflammation and is also a major factor in the development of venous hypertension. The inflammatory process in veins is similar to that in the development of plaques in arteries and may explain the efficacy of omega 3 fish oils in improving outcomes in MS. In addition to the surgical “liberation” procedure, it makes sense to ensure all nutritional factors are optimised to reduce vein inflammation. Future research should also consider these factors including checking vitamin D and omega 3 levels in addition to regular antioxidant use.

Quote from Gianfranco Campalani (sent to Dr Tom Gilhooly in February 2010)

" I am 64 and I was diagnosed with MS in 1986. I have being working full-time as a consultant cardiac surgeon in Belfast for the last 17 years. I met Dr Zamboni in my home town of Ferrara over three years ago and, following a Doppler study, I underwent angioplasty of both jugular veins by his team with significant improvement of my condition. Last Summer I noticed a slight deterioration and a Doppler study in Ferrara revealed re-occurrence of the narrowing of the jugular veins. I underwent a second liberation procedure in Belfast last October, with consequent improvement. For the last three years I have been campaigning in favour of the theory of CCSVI amongst colleagues in my hospital with no avail. I believe that the medical establishment has to wait for further evidence to be produced before accepting this new and revolutionary approach to the understanding and the treatment of MS".

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