This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Somewhere along the line I got the impession that the 7 Tesla machine was considered essential to fiind all of the possible venous stenosis and the 1.5T or 3T just couldn't do the job even with the appropriate protocols. Is this a fact? Are Dr. Dake or Dr. Haacke using only the 7T? Or is it just the protocols that make the difference. I've spoken with one person who had good results with the 1.5T and 3T.

My reason for asking is that if we had the protocols, and a 7T is not necessary, why could we not each have the studies done outside at a good medical center and get the answers to the big questions lurking in our minds...do I have stenosis and if so, where?

Thank you to each of you contributing so much time to this forum.

I don't know whether the tesla of the MRI machine has much to do with the results. Dr Haacke's protocol should define that. The MRI should follow Dr Haacke's protocol, but his protocol is under review.

http://www.ms-mri.com/protocol.php

I can't tell you if any MRI machine or any radiologist could find venous malformations of your extracranial veins that drain your brain. This is too new. Someone smart and receptive MIGHT find them. You have to take that into consideration.

A 1.5 or 3T machine with the correct software to do magnetic resonance venography is all that is needed. There aren't many 7Ts in service yet, but the lower resolution machines do just fine.
cheer

_________________
Husband dx RRMS 3/07
dx dual jugular vein stenosis (CCSVI) 4/09
dual stents placed 5/09
CCSVI in MS

I had an MRV done of my head and neck on a 1.5T machine. Two radiologists said the images are normal, even though these is a HUGE visible discrepancy between the right and left IJVs.

I was told, though, that a normal MRV is not conclusive for finding stenosis. Other than a transcranial doppler ultrasound of the azygous, what other non-invasive tests can be run? I've been reading everything, but I'm getting confused with seemingly contradictory information.

Or are the non-invasive tests necessarily inconclusive? Is the test with the dye necessary to get a really clear result?

ariehs..... Dr Zamboni and Dr Haacke both say that the properly conducted doppler ultrsound by a technician trained properly is the final answer for finding CCSVI. Even better than Dr Haacke's MRI protocol. I believe Dr Dake just does MRI/MRV, and he has the experience to find the malformations. In Poland and Italy and Buffalo I believe they do the doppler ultrasounds and MRI. Please don't assume that anyone not familiar with CCSVI and the imaging protocols knows how to find the malformations. Just be careful of false positives and false negatives until people are trained and up to speed.

ozark

Yes, in Poland they for sure do Doppler - they know very good how to do it and thez do MRV with Haacke`s protocol as well. They also do phlebography as the first part of the procedure.
Erika

_________________
Aug. 7, 09 Doppler Ultras. in Poland, left Jugul. valve problem, RRMS since 1996, now SPMS,
- Nov.3,09: one stent in the left jug. vein in Katowice, Poland, LDN, never on DMDs
- Jan. 19, 11: control venography in Katowice - negative but I feel worse