Vertebral veins - reflux

SaintLouis · Post by **SaintLouis** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 6:03 am

I recently had the doppler done and one of the CCSVI criteria I met was having reflux/slow flow in the left vertebral veins.

Unfortunately, I understand that it is not a problem that can be treated by angioplasty at this time. Can anyone tell me what this means exactly, how it happens or theories on how perhaps it can be helped? I read so much about the IJV's and azygous but not much about those.

From what I've gleaned from Google maybe there is a problem with my spine/bones or something.

Thanks!

Cece · Post by **Cece** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 7:08 am

Dr. Sclafani has talked about the verts. They're smaller, but he has a patient with vertebral vein obstructions and he said a few weeks ago that he was thinking it might be ok to balloon them. I'll find the links if I can....

http://www.thisisms.com/ftopicp-106645.html#106645
http://www.thisisms.com/ftopicp-120474.html#120474
http://www.thisisms.com/ftopicp-129148.html#129148

None of these are that informative, nor are they the ones I was thinking of. Hmm.

AlmostClever · Post by **AlmostClever** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 7:17 am

I'l try to find this later today. I hope I'm not fired!!!

Cece · Post by **Cece** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 7:18 am

Lol, AC...you had it listed under "some veins are too small to balloon" so it didn't show up with a search for 'vert' on the index.

http://www.thisisms.com/ftopicp-106996.html#106996

SaintLouis · Post by **SaintLouis** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 7:23 am

Thank you!!

Dismal news at the moment I guess, but good to know.

Cece · Post by **Cece** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 7:27 am

And here's the main one I was after...now I can go back to what I'm supposed to be doing!

http://www.thisisms.com/ftopicp-128410.html#128410

drsclafani wrote:With regard to the collateral veins, they may be valuable. I have not yet dilated any in ccsvi, but i have done so in patients on dialysis. but if a patient had occluded main flow vessels, i would consider dilating these veins. smaller vessels means using smaller balloons. I have one patient who comes to mind that i have thought about this seriously and may do it soon. however no publications yet on the subject

He doesn't seem to be talking about the verts, though. He's talking about ballooning collaterals. This quote stuck with me because of the 'may do it soon'...

StL, I'm not aware of any problem with the spine or bones that would be involved with this, do you still think that's the case? Verts are just the alternate drainage route, for when we're standing. They have been angio'ed by Zamboni's team, so there is hope. Sorry though that it's not the easiest problem to fix!