Answers

Replied on 9/15/2010

By: Vanish Vein and Laser Center  |  Dr. John Landi, FACS, RPVI, RPhS
Medical Director, Diplomate Am. Board of Phlebology
Naples, FL

Ulcerations can occur as a result of sclerotherapy if the solution should get out of the vein injected and into the surrounding tissue(extravasation). Other possible causes include thermal burn but usually the VNUS procedure ends at about the knee joint, and burns or blistering from the dressing. You should discuss this with your physician.

Replied on 11/16/2009

By: Laser Vein Center  |  Thomas Wright, M.D., F.A.C.P., R.V.T.
O'Fallon, MO

Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy can cause ulceration at the site of injection. This is a rare but a possible complication of any type of sclerotherapy. There are several possible mechanisms of ulcer formation. Two of the possible cause are as follows. Inadvertent injection of the sclerosing solution into the tissues around the vein can create the damage. More commonly is an essentially unavoidable potential for an injected vein to have a microscopic connection (fistula) with a small artery so that the vein solution gets shunted to the artery and causes an artery closure thereby damaging the skin feed by that small artery.
When an unexpected event like this occurs the best approach is to speak with your provider. There are many causes of developing ulcers after your procedure some very simple and some not so simple. Your provider knows your exact history and procedure and will be able to provide you with the best care. I would encourage you to speak with Him/Her first.

Replied on 11/16/2009

By: Angelo N. Makris MD   |  Angelo N. Makris, M.D. Interventional Radiology Center
Oak Brook, IL

Ulceration is a possible complication of sclerotherapy.

Replied on 11/16/2009

By: Miller Vein  |  Jeffrey H. Miller, M.D.
Steven K. Wang, M.D.
Michael E. Lulenski, M.D.
Novi, MI

Ulcers are a potential complication of sclerotherapy. Theories of why this happens include that the drug leaks out of the vein causing skin damage. Alternatively the drug travels from a vein into an artery blocking it and depriving the skin of blood.

Replied on 11/14/2009

By: VeinCare Centers of Tennessee  |  Stephen F. Daugherty, M.D.,F.A.C.S.
Clarksville, TN

This would be a very unusual event. Your question cannot be answered except by a physician skilled and experienced with both procedures who personally examines you.

Replied on 11/13/2009

By: Vein Specialty Medical Clinic, Inc.  |  Khalil Fattahi M.D.
Board Certified, American Board of Phlebology
Campbell, CA

Of course. In case even a small amount of sclerosing foam or liquid enters an artery, it will cause necrotic ulcer. Depending on size of the artery, size and extent of ulcer will vary. I suggest to test all targeted veins with doppler, right before injecting into the vessel, to assure that accidental inject of an artery will not happen. It is logical to seek this kind of treatment from a doctor who is a phlebologist with extensive experience in ultrasound guided sclerotherapy. A doctor who is doing this kind of treatment on regular basis, as not as a side job. Phlebology should be treated as an independent specialty, and not a piggy bag of other specialties.

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