OBJECTIVE: Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) was recently 
described in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The hypothesis of the 
vascular aetiology provides a new approach in the investigation and treatment of 
MS.
METHODS: Our open-label study included 94 MS patients who fulfilled ultrasound 
sonographic criteria required for CCSVI. The internal jugular and/or azygous 
veins by a catheter venography were dilated.
RESULTS: In 34.8% of the patients unilateral, in 65.2% bilateral venous 
abnormalities and in 2.1% no luminal obstructions were demonstrated. The patient 
group with the higher disability score had a significantly higher number of 
venous lesions (P < 0.005). Significant improvement of clinical disability in 
relapsing-remitting patients was (P < 0.001) achieved. In our study no stents 
were used. Re-stenosis occurred in 21.7% of the patients.
CONCLUSION: The number of venous narrowings is higher in more disabled patients. 
A significant improvement in clinical disability in the relapsing-remitting 
group was observed.