Sclerotherapy

By: Sydney Skin & Vein Clinic  02-Aug-2009
Keywords: Medical Specialists, varicose veins, Veins

Sclerotherapy is a treatment for abnormal veins and vascular malformations which results in hardening (sclerosis) and closure of the abnormal structure. A sclerosant (foam or liquid) is introduced (by a catheter or a needle) into the abnormal vessel. The effect of the sclerosant is to remove the inner lining of the vessel and exposing the middle collagen layer. Provided there is adquate compression, the inner walls of the vessel fuse and the vein is closed off. This is similar to having a leakage in a plumbing system and using glue to seal the pipes off.

At Sydney Skin and Vein Clinic, our doctors use multiple methods to achieve this:

1. Catheter Directed Sclerotherapy (CDS)- This is using a or line to access the vessels and is reserved for major veins. This procedure gets done under ultrasound guidance.

2. Ultrasound Guided sclerotherapy (UGS)- This is using an ultrasound to guide a number of injections directly into abnormal veins. UGS is reserved for varicose veins.

3. Direct vision sclerotherapy (microsclerotherapy)- The doctor uses a fine needle to inject the sclerosant solution directly into the vein. This solution causes the collapse of the inner lining of the vein, following which the vein dissolves and disappears after a few weeks.

Following all these procedures compression stockings should be  worn for 1-2 weeks after each treatment.

All these procedures are performed in our rooms. 

Keywords: Medical Specialists, Phlebologist, Sclerotherapy, Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy, varicose veins, Vascular Malformations, Veins

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