Monday, November 1, 2010 5:21 PM
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Ashton Embry
The only reliable way of determining CCSVI, without any controversy as to operator dependence of the technique, is by way of selective venography. So far all the data we have on the use of selective venography demonstrate that people with MS have a high chance of having CCSVI. There have been somewhere between 8000 and 10,000 people with MS who have had selective venography and been found to have CCSVI and this has been done in many independent and highly reputable centres around the world. Less than 1000 persons with MS who have had selective venography have been found not to have CCSVI. Thus there is no reasonable doubt that CCSVI is highly associated (>90%) with MS. We still are unsure of the long term benefit of CCSVI treatment and we need a proper clinical trial to determine this. However, the very large number of very positive anecdotal reports indicate that it is highly likely CCSVI treatment will be of value for many persons with MS although definitely not all. Given the safety of the procedure, the reasonable possibility of benefit, and the risk of further damage to the central nervous system caused by consequences of ongoing CCSVI, the Precautionary Principle dictates that anyone with MS would be wise to be tested for the presence of CCSVI with selective venography and treated if the condition is detected. I would emphasize the need for selective venography because one cannot risk the consequences of a false negative which is a common problem with the non-invasive techniques such as Doppler and MRV. The findings of no CCSVI in persons with MS by various inexperienced and somewhat biased European research teams using the non-invasive techniques clearly demonstrates the problems that arise when trying to determine CCSVI wiithout selective venography. I have no doubt that those who want to prevent/marginalize/denigrate CCSVI treatment for whatever reason (money, ego) will point to those highly flawed and basically worthless studies. However, do not be fooled by such poor science. Only look at the results which involve the use of venography and, as stated earlier, these results overwhelming demonstrate that "CCSVI Does Exist".
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