Background: The cerebral venous system may influence the development of multiple sclerosis; however, this has not yet been fully investigated. This study aims to assess if the hemodynamics of the cerebral venous system in participants who are living with multiple sclerosis changes over time and if this system appears to affect the development of multiple sclerosis (MS).
Methods: 13 participants living with MS had MRIs approximately 5 years apart, from which the patient-specific vascular geometry and blood flow were determined. Computational fluid dynamics models were then created and simulated for each patient and compared to 10 controls.
Results: The straight sinus (ST) blood flow in the initial MS group was increased compared to the controls and showed a trend of decreasing flow at follow-up. The distal sinuses appeared to increase in size over time despite the pressure drop within them decreasing. The expanded disability status scale (EDSS) was found to correlate with a decrease in ST pressure drop and vascular resistance.
Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that changes in the cerebral venous system could potentially be related to the pathophysiology of MS, however, further investigation is required.
Keywords: Cerebral venous system; Computational fluid dynamics; Hemodynamics; Multiple sclerosis; Vascular resistance; Venous elasticity.
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