Foam sclerotherapy
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Foam sclerotherapy is a sclerotherapy technique that involves injecting “foamed sclerosant drugs” within a blood vessel using a syringe. The sclerosant drugs (Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate or polidocanol) are mixed with air or a physiological gas (carbon dioxide) in a syringe or by using mechanical pumps. The idea is to increase the surface area of the drug. The foam sclerosant drug is more efficacious than the liquid one in causing sclerosis[1] (thickening of the vessel wall and sealing off the blood flow), for it does not mix with the blood in the vessel and in fact displaces it, thus avoiding dilution of the drug and causing maximal sclerosant action. Experts of foam sclerotherapy can create “tooth paste” like thick foam for their injections, which has revolutionized the non-surgical treatment of varicose veins [2] and venous malformations, including Klippel Trenaunay syndrome[3].
[edit] References
- ^ Yamaki T et al, Comparative study of duplex-guided foam sclerotherapy and duplex-guided liquid sclerotherapy for the treatment of superficial venous insufficiency. Dermatol Surg. 2004 May;30(5):718-22
- ^ Alessandro Frullini MD, FACP, Attilio Cavezzi MD (2002) Sclerosing Foam in the Treatment of Varicose Veins and Telangiectases: History and Analysis of Safety and Complications. Dermatologic Surgery 28 (1), 11–15
- ^ McDonagh, B, Sorenson, S et al. Management of venous malformations in Klippel–Trenaunay syndrome with ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy. Phlebology, Volume 20, Number 2, June 2005, pp. 63-81(19) [1]
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