To investigate an examiner-independent catheter venography protocol that could be used to reliably diagnose venous outflow abnormalities in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency and to determine whether venous angioplasty is effective in the treatment of these abnormalities.

Results

A contrast medium clearance time cutoff value of 4 seconds or less provided the maximal combination of sensitivity and specificity for the right IJV (sensitivity, 73.4%; specificity, 100%) and left IJV (sensitivity, 91.4%; specificity, 100%). IJVs with a clearance time between 4.1 and 6 seconds had moderate delayed flow (MDF), and IJVs with a clearance time longer than 6 seconds had severe delayed flow (SDF); 89% of patients showed MDF/SDF through at least one IJV, 79% showed MDF/SDF through both IJVs, and only 5% showed normal flow in both IJVs. Balloon angioplasty was immediately able to improve flow in at least one IJV in 69% of patients, but venous flow was normalized in both veins in only 37% of patients; SDF persisted after angioplasty in 32% of patients.