Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Multiple Sclerosis at 7.0 Tesla
Published on: February 19, 2021
Meta-analysis of the correlation between chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency and multiple sclerosis
Brittany A Zwischenberger1, Mary M Beasley, Daniel L Davenport
11General Surgery Residency Program, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
Purpose:
To determine whether a correlation exists between chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) and multiple sclerosis (MS).
Materials And Methods:
A meta-analysis of the current literature was performed to evaluate the frequency of CCSVI, diagnosed by echo color Doppler criteria, in patients with MS and in normal controls.
Results:
In all, 19 studies were identified from January 2005 through February 2013; however, 3 studies were excluded due to duplicate data and 3 additional studies because 0 patients fulfilled CCSVI criteria in both MS and control groups. In order to improve homogeneity, 4 outlier studies were also removed from the analysis. Analysis of the remaining 9 studies demonstrated a significant correlation between CCSVI and MS (odds ratio 1.885, P < .0001) with no significant heterogeneity of the studies (I (2) = 18, P = .279).
Conclusions:
The meta-analysis demonstrated a correlation between CCSVI and MS. However, there was no evidence that CCSVI has a causative role in MS.
Related Concept Videos
Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction
Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology
Varicose Veins II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
Venous Thrombosis I: Introduction
Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology
