Ultrasound Guided Foam Sclerotherapy for the Management of Recurrent Varicose Veins

2018 ◽  
pp. 567-576
Author(s):  
Christopher Richard Lattimer ◽  
Mustapha Azzam
2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 489-491
Author(s):  
Mark S Whiteley ◽  
Judith M Holdstock

We present a woman with severe symptomatic recurrent varicose veins who was treated with endovenous laser ablation and transluminal occlusion of perforator with attempted phlebectomies for extensive varices. The phlebectomies turned out to be near impossible due to friability of the veins. Her treatment was completed with post-operative ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy seven months later. She was subsequently diagnosed as Ehlers Danlos syndrome type IV. A duplex ultrasound scan 18 months post-endovenous laser ablation and transluminal occlusion of perforator and 11 months after ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy confirmed successful closure with virtual atrophy of all treated veins. She was found to be reflux free and only showed a few scattered cosmetic reticular veins. Open varicose vein surgery has been reported as being hazardous in the past in a patient with Ehlers Danlos syndrome type IV. Our experience has shown that endovenous laser ablation, transluminal occlusion of perforator and ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy appear to be effective in treating this patient with Ehlers Danlos syndrome type IV, although phlebectomies were technically impossible.


2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 183-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Chapman-Smith ◽  
A Browne

Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term efficacy, safety and rate of recurrence for varicose veins associated with great saphenous vein (GSV) reflux treated with ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS). Methods A five-year prospective study was performed, recording the effect on the GSV and saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) diameters, and reflux in the superficial venous system over time. UGFS was the sole treatment modality used in all cases, and repeat UGFS was performed where indicated following serial annual ultrasound. Results No serious adverse outcomes were observed – specifically no thromboembolism, arterial injection, anaphylaxis or nerve damage. There was a 4% clinical recurrence rate after five years, with 100% patient acceptance of success. Serial annual duplex ultrasound demonstrated a significant reduction in GSV and SFJ diameters, maintained over time. There was ultrasound recurrence in 27% at 12 months, and in 64% at five years, including any incompetent trunkal or tributary reflux even 1 mm in diameter being recorded. Thirty percent had pure ultrasound recurrence, 17% new vessel reflux and 17% combined new and recurrent vessels on ultrasound. Of all, 16.5% required repeat UGFS treatment between 12 and 24 months, but less than 10% in subsequent years. The safety and clinical efficacy of UGFS for all clinical, aetiological, anatomical and pathological elements classes of GSV reflux was excellent. Conclusion The popularity of this outpatient technique with patients reflects ease of treatment, lower cost, lack of downtime and elimination of venous signs and symptoms. Patients accept that UGFS can be repeated readily if required for recurrence in this common chronic condition. The subclinical ultrasound evidence of recanalization or new vein incompetence needs to be considered in this light.


2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
R H Bhogal ◽  
C E Moffat ◽  
P Coney ◽  
I K Nyamekye

Objective We assessed the use of ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) to treat bilateral varicose veins either as synchronous or interval procedures. We specifically assessed total foam volume usage and its influence on early outcome and complications. Methods We reviewed our prospectively compiled computerised database of patients with bilateral varicose veins who have undergone UGFS. Duplex findings, foam volumes used and clinical outcome were assessed. Results One hundred and twelve patients had undergone UGFS for bilateral varicose veins. Sixty-one had bilateral UGFS (122 legs) and 51 had interval UGFS (102 legs). Seventy-eight percent bilateral and 60% interval procedures were for single trunk disease. Median foam volumes per treatment episode were: 17.5 mls bilateral, and 10 mls interval FS. At two weeks 81% of legs had complete occlusion after bilateral UGFS compared to 70% after interval UGFS. One patient in the bilateral UGFS developed transient visual disturbance. There was no systemic complications in the interval UGFS. Conclusions Bilateral foam sclerotherapy treatment did not adversly affect vein occlusion rates and there was no significant difference in complication rates between the two groups. Bilateral UGFS can be safely performed in selected patient presenting with bilateral varicose veins.


2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 80-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark H Meissner

Varicose veins affect one-quarter to one-third of Western adult populations and consume an increasing amount of health care resources. Much of this increased utilization has been driven by the advent of minimally invasive technology including endovenous thermal ablation, foam sclerotherapy, and more recently mechanicochemical and cyanoacrylate glue ablation. This has largely been driven by patient and physician preferences in the absence of robust evidence that one therapy is truly superior to another. This partially arises from misunderstandings about appropriate outcomes measures and what truly constitutes effective treatment of varicose veins. Technical outcomes, such as saphenous closure rates, have frequently been used as surrogates for effective treatment but are poorly correlated with symptom improvement, quality of life, and risk of recurrence. Although there does appear to be a trend towards higher recurrence with ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy, the data are occasionally conflicting and there does not appear to be substantial differences between the various modalities. Similarly, there do not appear to be major differences in late quality of life measures between these treatment options. As long-term differences in recurrence and quality of life are small, overall cost effectiveness is driven primarily by initial treatment costs and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy is the most cost-effective strategy in many models. However, there continues to be substantial uncertainty surrounding cost estimates and other factors of importance to the patient may ultimately drive treatment decisions. The benefits of some adjuncts to the treatment of axial superficial reflux, such as the concurrent versus staged management of tributary varicosities, remain ill-defined while that of others, such as routine post-procedural ultrasound surveillance and compression, need critical re-evaluation.


2010 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Paraskevas

Pelvic varicose veins secondary to ovarian vein reflux are common and can present with clinical pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS). After assessment with duplex ultrasound and venography, treatment often involves surgical ovarian vein ligation and more recently embolization of the ovarian vein(s) followed by ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) of the pelvic tributaries. This paper presents one out of many PCS patients treated with UGFS of the pelvic tributaries alone, with clinically symptomatic improvement.


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