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liberation therapy
Credited to Paolo Zamboni, a vascular surgeon from the University of Ferrara in Italy
Uses:
- used to treat chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) associated with symptoms of multiple sclerosis
Contraindications:
- not FDA-approved
- no evidence of association of multiple sclerosis with CCSVI
- no consensus on criteria for CCSVI
- no evidence that the procedure effectively treats symptoms of multiple sclerosis [1]
- ineffective for treatment of multiple sclerosis [3]
- may exacerbate symptoms of multiple sclerosis in the short-term [3]
Procedure:
- angioplasty balloons are used to open narrowed veins in the neck and chest
General
venous angioplasy (percutaneous transluminal venous angioplasty)
References
- Physician's First Watch
Massachusetts Medical Society, June 29, 2010
- FDA News Release: May 10, 2012
FDA issues alert on potential dangers of unproven treatment for
multiple sclerosis.
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm303538.htm
- Physician's First Watch. March 18, 2013
Fairchild DG, Editor-in-Chief
Massachesetts Medical Society
http://www.jwatch.org