Intracranial venous pressure is normal in patients with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) has been postulated as a cause for multiple sclerosis (MS). Venous pressure assessments have not been made. Intracranial venous pressure was assessed using ophthalmodynamometry in 29 MS patients and compared with 28 healthy controls and 19 cases with elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). MS and control subjects had normal venous pressures (mean 15.5 resp. 15.1 cmHg). Only cases with intracranial pressure pathology had elevated venous pressures (mean 28.8 cmHg). There is no evidence of an increased intracranial venous pressure in MS patients.