sclerotherapy OF varicose veins
There are several terms you might have heard referring to sclerotherapy: compression sclerotherapy, cosmetic sclerotherapy, ultrasound guided sclerotherapy, echo-sclerotherapy, foam sclerotherapy, microfoam sclerotherapy.
Sclerotherapy is a group of techniques involving injection of sclerosant into a blood vessel. In general terms, contact of irritating agent with vein endothelium, results in inflammation, occlusion, and subsequent destruction of the target vessel.
Cosmetic sclerotherapy refers to treatments done in otherwise asymptomatic patient, to improve visual appearance of leg. This term is often used with injections of spider veins (tiny reddish in color veins, usually under 1mm), and telangiectasias (bluish vessels branching off larger veins, usually less than 1mm in diameter)
Compression sclerotherapy refers to treatments done to visible surface veins (spider veins, telangiectasias, reticular veins (blue or purple in color, around 2 mm in diameter), and visible varicosities. Treatment can be done for cosmetic or medical reasons, does not involve use of ultrasound needle guidance.
Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy
Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy or echo-sclerotherapy refers to injections done with either liquid or foam sclerosant, to superficial venous varicosities that are not visible on the surface of the skin. With this technique access to the vessel is obtained via needle under real-time ultrasound guidance, progress of sclerosant injection and penetration is supervised and guided with ultrasound probe to prevent spill-over of the agent into the deep vein system.
Foam sclerotherapy or microfoam sclerotherapy refers to ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy performed with foamed sclerosant agents.
Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy using liquid FDA approved sclerosant is most often used as "add on" subsequent treatment option to Laser Vein Ablation, for injections to varicose tributaries and residual varicosities. It is covered by most insurance carriers however some limitations apply.
Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy using proprietary microfoam sclerosant is often recommended for closure of axial veins in patients with tortuous recurrent venous varicosities.
- Following the sclerotherapy procedure, a gradient compression stocking is placed on the treated leg and the patient is asked to walk around our office for 10-15 minutes.
- Most patients are able to return to normal daily activities immediately after procedure
- Patients whose work involves constant squatting, climbing ladders, scaffolding, roofers etc might need to refrain from certain activities
Success of ultrasound guided sclerotherapy and potential complications are operator depended. Our physician Jozef Tryzno, MD, RVT, DABVLM personally conducts all venous ultrasound evaluations and all ultrasound guided procedures. In this volatile job market, clinics struggling to find competent staff is it now more important than ever to KNOW that your doctor is actually the one in charge of the procedure.
POST PROCEDURE COMPRESSION AFTER SCLEROTHERAPY
Injection sclerosant must stay in contact with the vessel wall long enough to achieve desired destruction effect, therefore sufficient compression post injection in a form of properly fitted compression stocking is mandatory. Time of required compression is dictated by the technique of injection, size, and type of the injected vessel. Average compression times vary:
- 24 hrs after cosmetic injection
- 3-5 days after liquid sclerotherapy
- 10-14 days after foam sclerotherapy
IF COMPRESSION IS DISCONTINUED by patient prematurely, and treated veins fill with blood before they reach a state of destruction, risk of failure of treatment increases, subsequently vein recanalization might occur.
Each patient will have different needs and depending on severity of their condition, health status, insurance restrictions and financial constraints. Your physician may suggest a combination of different conservative and corrective treatment options.
We are confident that you will not be disappointed if you schedule an appointment
with Dr Tryzno.
Contact our office today to get started.
Call: (847) 518-9999
Disclosure: Every patient is a unique, and cosmetic results can vary between patients. No two laser treatments will get same results – even if performed by the same physician on patients with similar condition