State of the Art I: Why We Need a Multi-Modality

Background: The extra-cranial venous system is complex and not well studied in comparison to peripheral venous system. A newly proposed vascular condition, named chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI), described initially in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) has triggered intense interest in better understanding of the role of extra-cranial venous anomalies and developmental variants. Methods: So far, there is no established diagnostic imaging modality, non invasive or invasive, that can serve as “gold standard” for detection of these venous anomalies. However, consensus guidelines and standardized imaging protocols are emerging. Most likely, a multimodal imaging approach will ultimately be the most comprehensive means for screening, diagnostic and monitoring purposes. Further research is needed to determine the spectrum of extra-cranial venous pathology and to compare the imaging findings with pathological examinations. Conclusions: The ability to define and reliably detect noninvasively these anomalies is an essential step toward establishing their incidence and prevalence. The role for these anomalies in causing significant hemodynamic consequences for the intra-cranial venous drainage in MS patients and other neurologic disorders, and in aging, remains unproven. Ultrasound contrast imaging of brain hemodynamic and perfusion Marcello Mancini, M.D. Institute of Biostructure and Bioimage – CNR