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In this paper Prof Paolo Zamboni describes 'The CCSVI Syndrome'.
http://phleb.rsmjournals.com/cgi/reprint/25/6/269

For instance the prevalence in MS ranges between 56% and 100%, indicating that CCSVI is one of the major risk factors for the development of MS.

Abstract

Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) is a syndrome characterized by stenosies
of the internal jugular and/or azygous veins (IJVs-AZ) with opening of collaterals and
insufficient drainage proved by reduced cerebral blood flow and increased mean transit
time in cerebral MRI perfusional study. The present review is aimed to give a
comprehensive overview of the actual status of the art of the diagnosis and treatment of
this condition. As far as the origin of venous narrowing is concerned, phlebographic
studies of the IJVs and AZ systems demonstrated that venous stenoses were likely to be
truncular venous malformations; mostly, they are intraluminal defects such as malformed
valve, septa webs. CCSVI condition has been found to be strongly associated with
multiple sclerosis (MS), a disabling neurodegenerative and demyelinating disease
considered autoimmune in nature. In several epidemiological observations performed at
different latitudes on patients with different genetic backgrounds, the prevalence of CCSVI
in MS ranges from 56% to 100%. To the contrary, by using venous MR and/or different
Doppler protocols, CCSVI was not detected with the same prevalence. Two pilot studies
demonstrated the safety and feasibility in Day Surgery of the endovascular treatment of
CCSVI by means of balloon angioplasty (PTA). It determines a significant reduction of
postoperative venous pressure. Restenosis rate was found out elevated in the IJVs, but
negligible in the AZ. However, PTA seems to positively influence clinical and QoL
parameters of the associated MS and warrants further randomized control trials.