During a press conference held this morning, the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) and its experts outlined their thinking with respect to the hypothesis issued by Dr. Paolo Zamboni in 2009 on the possible link between chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) and multiple sclerosis. The Collège des médecins is of the opinion that, outside the framework of research work, current knowledge does not allow for physicians in Québec to practice this treatment, which, for the time being, is not recognized by the scientific medical community.

“Since my recent election as President and CEO of the Collège des médecins, I have received numerous messages from patients afflicted with multiple sclerosis,” explained Dr. Charles Bernard. “Of course, I lend these patients an attentive ear, and I understand their need to know where science stands with respect to this subject. The Collège is saying to them today that we need to wait for the results of studies that are currently underway before generalizing Professor Zamboni’s treatments. In particular, we are recommending to these individuals that they refrain from consulting any medical tourism clinics offering these treatments prematurely with little regard for their effectiveness and side effects.”

For further information

• Press release
• Mise au point sur l’hypothèse du Dr Paolo Zamboni, Lettre du Dr Marc Girard, président de l’Association des neurologues du Québec et neurologue à la Clinique de sclérose en plaques du CHUM
• Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency and the doubtful promise of an endovascular treatment for multiple sclerosis, Dorne H, Zaidat OO, Fiorella D, et al. J NeuroIntervent Surg (2010)
• Interventional Endovascular Management of Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Position Statement by the Society of Interventional Radiology, Endorsed by the Canadian Interventional Radiology Association
• Summary Report, CIHR and MS Society of Canada, Joint Invitational Meeting on Multiple Sclerosis Research, August 26, 2010, Ottawa, Ontario
  
• Le médecin et les traitements non reconnus, énoncé de position, Collège des médecins du Québec, mars 2006
• Présentation des conférenciers