Yes, if the gear system is an indexed one it wants to have casing with the structural strands running nearly parallel to the casing's length to better resist the compressive force the inner cable produces. Brake casings shouldn't have the chance of the casing structure failing and a lengthwise running structural strand design can and does "explode" or burst outwards under the forces a brake inner can generate. Both usually have a low friction liner these days.


Back in the day there were no real differences other then some gear casing was uncoated and made of tightly spiraled stainless steel (SunTour bar end casing or Campy gear casing comes to mind).


A quick search of a casing company's info site might give better description and detail. Andy