CCSVI: Pipe Dream or Time to Clean the Pipes?

A lot has been written lately about what has become known as the "Liberation" treatment for MS patients. Ostensibly to correct a condition known as CCSVI (cerebrospinal venous insufficiency, the liberation treatment involves vascular surgery to either insert a stent or else use a balloon to open veins in the neck and brain (and sometimes chest) that are malformed or blocked. The thinking of the doctor who pioneered this treatment, Dr. Pablo Zamboni, is that some of the veins in the areas mentioned are not allowing the blood to properly drain away from the brain and spinal cord. His theory is that this results in the accumulation of waste, and particularly iron, in the central nervous system. This accumulation then leads to the demylenation that is MS.

This theory is controversial in the both the MS and medical communities. Dr. Zamboni did not have a control group in his study, so it technically is of little scientific value. But he did have some intriguing findings nonetheless, and doctors around the world are on the case.

Phase 1 trials have now been completed in the US, and phase II is underway. You can find out more about this, known widely now as the "Bufalo Studies" in the latest edition of Neurology Now or by clicking the title of this post to read more online.

The liberation treatment is not available in the US or Canada at this time, though both countries are actively researching it. Many of my MS friends have either already had this done by going overseas, or are planning to and raising funds for the CCSVI treatment. I will be waiting and watching. I pray for all. I understand how desperate the situation is for so many.