MRI and visual-evoked potentials in partners of multiple sclerosis patients.

OBJECTIVE: Some epidemiological evidence, particularly concerning the role of Epstein Barr Virus implies that multiple sclerosis (MS) may be transmissible and if correct, this might be revealed by increased prevalence of MS in cohabiting partners. METHODS: We addressed this problem by neurological assessment, visual-evoked potentials (VEP) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 112 partners of patients with MS in comparison to a control group of 93 individuals with clinically non-significant head or neck pain and in comparison to UK prevalence. RESULTS: We found one instance of conjugal definite MS. Including this case, VEP were abnormal in five instances with either significant delay (n = 3) or increased interocular latency difference (IOLD) (n = 2) in partners of MS patients thus raising the possibility of subclinical optic nerve demyelination. The mean absolute value of IOLD in partners was greater than the value in controls (P = 0.033). There were no significant differences in MRI findings between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The finding of one conjugal pair and abnormal VEP in a further four MS partners could have several explanations. It is compatible with the concept of a transmissible agent, although our observations could be due to several biases as well as the play of chance alone.

Concepts of combined endovascular and surgical treatment for dural arteriovenous fistulae: concepts derived from experience in treating three unusual lesions.

BACKGROUND: We describe a treatment protocol for patients who have a dural arteriovenous fistulae (dAVF) not curable solely by an endovascular approach. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three patients suffering from neurological impairment due to a complex dAVM (intracranial haemorrhage 2, intracranial hypertension 1) were treated by a combination of arterial embolization treatment and subsequent surgery. RESULTS: Marked reduction of flow was achieved by embolization of the main arterial feeders of the fistulae. Surgery eliminated the residual dAVFs completely and without permanent morbidity. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to eliminate a dural fistula completely, especially in a patient whose fistula had drainage or reflux into cortical veins, which have a high risk of intracranial haemorrhage and venous hypertension. We present an approach to treatment using transarterial embolization and early surgery which may offer a safe and effective way to achieve complete elimination of the lesion, avoiding increased risk to important venous drainage.