In healthy adults, increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pulsatility is associated with increased internal jugular vein cross-sectional (IJV-CSA) in the lower cervix, independent of age and cardiovascular risk factors, suggesting a biomechanical link. This relationship, however, is altered in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, a recent study found. Researchers investigated 65 relapsing-remitting MS patients (50.8% female; mean age 43.8 years) and 74 healthy controls (HCs) (54.1% female; mean age 43.9 years). CSF flow quantification was performed on cine phase-contrast MRI, while IJV-CSA was calculated using magnetic resonance venography. Statistical analysis involved correlation and partial least squares correlation analysis (PLSCA). They found:

• PLSCA revealed a significant difference between MS patients and HCs in the positive relationship between CSF pulsatility and IJV-CSA at C5-T1, something not detected at C2-C4.

• Controlling for age and cardiovascular risk factors, statistical trends were identified in HCs between: increased net positive CSF flow (NPF) and increased IJV-CSA at C5-C6 and C4; and increased net negative CSF flow and increased left IJV-CSA at C5-C6 and C4, whereas in MS patients, a trend was only identified between increased NPF and increased left IJV-CSA at C5-C6.

• Overall, correlations were weaker in MS patients.

Citation: Beggs CB, Magnano C, Belov P, Krawiecki J, et al. Internal jugular vein cross-sectional area and cerebrospinal fluid pulsatility in the aqueduct of Sylvius: A comparative study between health subjects and multiple sclerosis patients. [Published online ahead of print May 2, 2016]. PLoS One. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0153960.