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I've been reading here, now about two days - and Im very convinced about CCSVI with ms.

I already mentioned something about Zamboni's research and CCSVI in finnish forum. I don't know much about research equipments like MRV - so my questions are:
a) are MRV's common machines in every neurological hospitals? Or are they still rare "in the field"?
b) Can doctors make similar studies about CCSVI wiht different equipment, like ultra or mri?

- Ernst

Ernst wrote:so my questions are:
a) are MRV's common machines in every neurological hospitals? Or are they still rare "in the field"?
b) Can doctors make similar studies about CCSVI with different equipment, like ultra or mri?

They are the same machines used to perform your MRI's you had for diagnosis or in monitoring your progression, so they are very common.

From what I was told by my radiologist (the one performing my MRV & MRI), she said MRV's are done very commonly in her hospital, and when I rang another radiology lab, they also said an MRV would be no problem. They actually did the MRV and an MRI in one sitting; but the machine did make some new noises (different to my normal MRI machine). However, when I spoke directly with Dr Dake, he tried politely to ensure I understood that there was a technique for looking for the actual abnormalities they are looking for (as I found out by my Dr only requesting a scan of my head ). He recommended I get a CT venography scan, as it was less prone to operator dependencies. However, I chickened out after seeing the catheters in Zamboni's photo's. I do not know if they would of used a Catheter for my CT.

Dr Dake is very approachable and helpful, he offered to personally review the results from my CT venography.

Ernst wrote:I've been reading here, now about two days - and Im very convinced about CCSVI with ms.

I already mentioned something about Zamboni's research and CCSVI in finnish forum. I don't know much about research equipments like MRV - so my questions are:
a) are MRV's common machines in every neurological hospitals? Or are they still rare "in the field"?
b) Can doctors make similar studies about CCSVI wiht different equipment, like ultra or mri?

- Ernst

Hi Ernst...
Welcome, we're glad you are posting information in Finland. I am sure the major universities in your country have MRI/MRV technology. The MRV is performed on the same machine as MRI, it utilizes a special computer program and the dye is injected into the major veins. One caveat...

Dr. Dake is a "cardio-thoracic surgeon" and he understands the importance of the veins surrounding the spine. I am afraid the "neurological" scans will only include the head- as Cure has learned the hard way. You want to make sure the veins scanned are the internal jugular veins and the azygos vein...this means the machine need not scan the head, but only the neck and chest- from your cervical spine to your thoracic spine.
Hope this helps,
cheer

Thank you Cheer and CureOrbust!

Actually i don't have ms, my wife has. Dx 2,5 yrs ago. From the beginning of her dx, I have had a feeling that blood-circulation is very important thing - did't know that it might be THE KEY.

Is it ok Cheer, if I borrow your answer and copy/paste it to Finnish forum?

- Ernst

ps. I have red lots of your writings.. wow, you are very very smart. And incredible wife (Jeff is lucky)

Ernst-
Go ahead and copy whatever you want and post it on the Finnish site. I'm sorry for your wife...I know how tough it is to watch our spouses hurting. But she is lucky to have you as a partner. I'm really hopeful for the CCSVI model. Maybe you can get Helsinki University interested? And anyone that can speak both Finnish and English is much smarter than me!
cheer

cheerleader wrote: And anyone that can speak both Finnish and English is much smarter than me!
cheer

Hohoo! finnish is quite complicated language - and must sound weird to foreigners.

Maybe some finnish researcher would be interested, who knows. My common sence says that this circulation thing makes sense. And research results by Zamboni are so clear, that vascular changes are part of Ms.. or almost whole thing.