Techniques and curative effects of fluoroscopy-guided foam sclerotherapy for lower extremity varicosities / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To describe the techniques of fluoroscopy-guided foam sclerotherapy for lower extremity varicosities, and evaluate the feasibility, safety and curative effects of it. Methods From October 2008 to December 2009, a total of 21 legs in 16 patients with lower extremity varicosities received radiological-guided foam sclerotherapy. They were enrolled in this study. Sodium morrhuate was foamed with by the filling-defects technique under fluoroscopy guidance. Postoperative compression was maintained for 2 weeks. Clinical effect was assessed as full success, partial success and no success. Complications were classified as minor or serious. Results The technical procedure was successful in all foam sclerotherapies for 21 legs. And, a single sclerotherapy session was adequate for all legs. The median follow-up period was 6. 0 months after treatment, ranged from 3.0 to 17.0 months. In this period, Clinical effect was assessed as full success for 17 legs (81.0%) and partial success for 4 legs ( 19.0% ). All patients presented selflimiting minor complications, including cordlike subcutaneous indurations along the treated veins (21 cases), skin hyperpigmentation in 11 legs (8 cases), local pain in 7 legs (6 cases) and superficial thrombophlebitits in one leg ( 1 case). No serious complications or systemic events occurred. Conclusion Fluoroscopy-guided foam sclerotherapy was a feasible, safe and effective treatment for lower extremity varicosities.