Neck vein obstruction: Diagnosis and the role of chronic persistent Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection

Abstract

Background The objective of this review is to describe the diagnosis of neck vein obstruction and the possible role of chronic persistent Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection in producing the syndrome of chronic cerebrospinal venous obstruction. Method The normal patterns of flow in the neck veins are described and guidelines for interpretation of the quantitative duplex ultrasound examination of the extracranial neck veins are developed. Result An infective cause of neck vein obstruction is proposed and from a literature search of the role of the obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydophila pneumoniae in vascular and chronic diseases, a diagnostic protocol for confirming chronic persistent Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection, which includes the quantitative duplex ultrasound examination and specific blood tests are suggested. Conclusion Further research to validate this diagnostic protocol is required.