Abstract
Background
This study aims to explore the relationship between venous sinus diameters and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) to understand potential vascular alterations in MS patients compared to a control group. It seeks to determine if these alterations correlate with disease characteristics such as duration, lesion types, and disability scores.
Methods
The study included 79 MS patients, diagnosed according to the 2017 McDonald criteria, and 67 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals. MRI scans using a 1.5 Tesla system provided measurements of superior sagittal sinus, right and left transverse sinus, sinus rectus, and venous structures. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS, employing Independent Sample T-Test, ANOVA, Chi-Square, and Pearson Correlation Analysis, with a significance level set at p < 0.05.
Results
The study identified significant differences in venous sinus diameters between MS patients and the control group, with MS patients exhibiting larger diameters. Specifically, patients with brainstem and spinal lesions showed larger diameters in certain sinus regions. No significant correlations were found between venous sinus diameters and demographic factors, EDSS scores, or lesion counts. However, a significant increase in perivenular lesions was noted in patients with longer disease durations.
Conclusions
The findings indicate notable vascular alterations in MS patients, particularly in venous sinus diameters, suggesting a potential vascular component in MS pathology. The lack of correlation with conventional clinical and MRI metrics highlights the complexity of MS pathology. These insights underscore the need for further research, particularly longitudinal studies, to elucidate the role of venous changes in MS progression and their potential as therapeutic targets.