Quote:
Neurologist and multiple sclerosis specialist Dr. Brad Stewart, an assistant clinical professor at the University of Alberta, says, "there is no evidence linking problems with veins in the neck to MS.
"The notion that MS is caused by vascular problems is fundamentally wrong. I don't believe in Santa Claus, I don't believe in the Easter Bunny and I don't believe in this. I will accept hard data and good studies, but there aren't any."
Bhan says studies conducted by other researchers have not corroborated Zamboni's findings. "For example," he says, "Dr. Robert Zivadinov at the University of Buffalo, usingDr. Zamboni's methodology, found a smaller percentage of MS patients with CCSVI than did the Italian researcher (56 per cent versus 100 per cent). Similarly, studies in Germany and Sweden have failed to demonstrate CCSVI in MS. "
Bhan adds there are major risks in angioplasty on the veins in the neck. "I think that the most confusion for the public comes from the fact that angioplasty is commonly done for heart and stroke patients. But there are structural differences between arteries and veins, with arteries being thick-walled and, as such, can withstand balloon compression from inside, whereas veins are thin-walled and can rupture and lead to many complications."
The Santa Claus quote is up there with calling us cult members.
We've discussed the risk of rupture, there have been reports of "small extravasations" and one rumor of someone who had to have a stent put in after the vein tore. Tearing would appear to be very minor on the scale of risks.
Studies in Germany failed to find CCVSI in MS but 10 out of 14 studies presented at ECTRIMS did.
But is this considered whining about neurologists? Please disregard if so.
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