Table 3 Transcranial and extracranial colour-Doppler high-resolution examination (TCCS-ECD) criteria of highly suspected anomalous venous outflow
TCCS-ECD criteriaMS-relapsing-remitting (N; %)MS-secondary progressive (N; %)MS-primary progressive (N; %)Whole MS (N; %)Control populations (N; %)Odds ratio all MS vs all controls (95% CI)p Value
1. Reflux constantly present in IJVs and/or VVs with the head at 0° and +90°27/35 77%15/20 75%4/10 40%46/65 71%0/235 0%1123 (67 to 19 000)<0.0001
2. Reflux in the deep cerebral veins19/35 54%12/20 60%9/10 90%40/65 61%0/235 0%748 (45 to 12 542)<0.0001
3. High resolution B-mode evidence of proximal IJV stenoses9/35 26%10/20 50%5/10 50%24/65 37%1/235 0%137 (18 to 1041)<0.0001
4. Flow not Doppler detectable in the IJVs and/or VVs despite numerous deep inspirations with the head at 0° and +90°22/35 63%7/20 35%5/10 50%34/65 52%7/235 3%36 (15 to 88)<0.0001
5. Negative ΔCSA in the IJV18/35 51%13/20 65%5/10 50%36/65 55%25/235 11%10 (5 to 20)<0.0001
  • OR was calculated for each ultra-sonographic criterion by means of the two-sided Fisher exact test, by comparing the whole MS population with the control group.

  • CSA, cross-sectional area of the internal jugular vein; IJV, internal jugular vein; MS, multiple sclerosis; VV, vertebral vein.