This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

[Rokkit]

Dr. Zamboni has mentioned problems with lumbar area veins especially in PPMS, but there isn't much talk about that. I assume this is because there aren't near as many PPMS cases and because not much can be done about it anyway unless you have M-T. I have certain bladder symptoms which indicate the existence of a lesion in the lower spine, so I'm pretty curious about this area and I've had a hard time believing stenosis in my jugular veins could cause this. I think there's value in knowing you have a certain problem, even if it's currently untreatable.

I'm posting my pics so we can have an example of what lumbar veins look like, and hopefully if anyone notices anything about them I can benefit from the comments. I know these pics from the right side may not be as valuable, but they're all I've got. Thanks!

[Cece]

Compare it to this, Rokkit, from Zamboni's paper (the C group of images):
http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/80/4/392.full

The top one on the left is the healthy control.

[Nunzio]

Hi Rokkit,
your pictures do not show the lumbar plexus: in order to do so, according to Dr.Galeotti protocol you have to enter on the left side and inject dye in the Iliac-lumbar vein. This vein branches off the Iliac vein a couple of inches before it joins the right Iliac vein to form the Inferior vena Cava

A normal lumbar plexus will look like this where you can see blood vessels following the contour of each vertebra.



In addition do not assume that because you have a bladder problem, your lesion has to be in the lower spine, because in reality it could be anywhere in your central nervous system.

[AlmostClever]

Rokkit - I think this is a decent shot of my left Iliac-Lumbar.

(Nunzio - The nasty collateral below the SVC bifurcation disappeared after a 4 cm x 12 mm self-expanding stent was placed. Wished the ones in my head would! Thanks!)