Title:The Role of Venous Abnormalities in Neurological Disease
Volume: 7
Issue: 2
Author(s): E. Mark Haacke, Clive B. Beggs and Charbel Habib
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Venous abnormalities, neurological disease, multiple sclerosis, chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency,
magnetic resonance imaging, iron, venous hypertension
Abstract: The role of the venous circulation has long been underestimated in clinical practice and in research into neurological
diseases. In this review, we present an overview of the existing evidence that venous abnormalities can play a key
role in the development and manifestation of neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. We review the history behind
the role of venous diseases in multiple sclerosis and their connections with the disease landmarks, the links of chronic venous
hypertension to cerebral hydrodynamics and the role of iron in MS. In addition, we highlight the role of venous abnormalities
in other diseases including jugular venous reflux, developmental anomalies, hydrocephalus and cerebrospinal
fluid flow. Finally, and based on the information presented throughout the whole review, we conclude with the link between
chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency and MS and the role and power of magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosing
venous anomalies.
